Post by tadontask on Jun 30, 2018 21:05:50 GMT -5
Current Capacity: 33,608
Proposed Capacity: 63,975 (adding 30,367 seats)
Total Construction Cost: $99,996,000
Balance Remaining After Stadium Account Withdrawal: $0
Payment Plan: Shouldn't need one!
Connie Mack Stadium originally opened in 1909 and had a capacity of 33,608. It's very hard to believe, but for more than 70 years, that capacity has stayed the same. Finally, after a few winning seasons and making the playoffs 2 of the past 4 seasons, Phillies ownership has decided to expand capacity to meet the growing demand of their fans for tickets.
"We've been at full capacity for about a decade now," says the Phillies owner, "and that makes it really hard for fans to get tickets. And when they do, they often can't get as many as they want. For some fans, that means deciding whether to bring a family member, friend or significant other. Those can be very difficult decisions, and we've had many complaints that relationships, and even marriages, have ended because we don't have enough seats. The Phillies are tired of being named as a third party in divorce proceedings."
The plan is for the Phillies to expand Connie Mack Stadium's capacity to 63,975 seats, an increase of 30,367! These seats should be ready by Opening Day of 1983. Phillies ownership hopes that an increase in attendance, and hence, revenue, means it will be easier for the team to keep its current core of young players together, including Jack Morris, Chet Lemon, Dickie Thon and Ross Baumgarten.
The increase should also make it easier for the team to fill any needs they might have on the roster. This will be especially true in 1983 as the Phillies expect to be coming off a transitional year. After the 1981 season, they lost four veterans, (Ron Cey, Fred Klages, Nate Colbert and Bobby Floyd) who had been with the team for a combined fifty-one seasons. They expect to fill most of the playing time from the rest of their active roster and farm system.
Seating expansion will cost the team almost one-hundred million dollars upfront, but the team expects to recuperate the cost over time. Long term plans also include updated concourses and food and beverage options. The onus on paying for expansion falls directly on the Phillies since the Eagles no longer share the stadium, but ownership thinks that is a positive for Phillies fans. Says a team representative, "When fans can associate a city's stadium with only one team, that makes for a more intimate fan experience."
The city of Philadelphia is also excited because in addition to more people being able to attend games, seating expansion should open up more jobs. Kling Stubbings architecture firm will design the expansion, and the process will open up some temporary construction jobs. But permanent jobs with the team will also become available, with a greater need for employees in sales and marketing. Seasonal jobs will also increase with the addition of more vendors and other game day help. There will also be more security positions available when the Phillies unveil their in-stadium jail down the line. Overall, this is a big win for team ownership, players, fans and the entire city of Philadelphia. And relationships, of course.
Proposed Capacity: 63,975 (adding 30,367 seats)
Total Construction Cost: $99,996,000
Balance Remaining After Stadium Account Withdrawal: $0
Payment Plan: Shouldn't need one!
Connie Mack Stadium originally opened in 1909 and had a capacity of 33,608. It's very hard to believe, but for more than 70 years, that capacity has stayed the same. Finally, after a few winning seasons and making the playoffs 2 of the past 4 seasons, Phillies ownership has decided to expand capacity to meet the growing demand of their fans for tickets.
"We've been at full capacity for about a decade now," says the Phillies owner, "and that makes it really hard for fans to get tickets. And when they do, they often can't get as many as they want. For some fans, that means deciding whether to bring a family member, friend or significant other. Those can be very difficult decisions, and we've had many complaints that relationships, and even marriages, have ended because we don't have enough seats. The Phillies are tired of being named as a third party in divorce proceedings."
The plan is for the Phillies to expand Connie Mack Stadium's capacity to 63,975 seats, an increase of 30,367! These seats should be ready by Opening Day of 1983. Phillies ownership hopes that an increase in attendance, and hence, revenue, means it will be easier for the team to keep its current core of young players together, including Jack Morris, Chet Lemon, Dickie Thon and Ross Baumgarten.
The increase should also make it easier for the team to fill any needs they might have on the roster. This will be especially true in 1983 as the Phillies expect to be coming off a transitional year. After the 1981 season, they lost four veterans, (Ron Cey, Fred Klages, Nate Colbert and Bobby Floyd) who had been with the team for a combined fifty-one seasons. They expect to fill most of the playing time from the rest of their active roster and farm system.
Seating expansion will cost the team almost one-hundred million dollars upfront, but the team expects to recuperate the cost over time. Long term plans also include updated concourses and food and beverage options. The onus on paying for expansion falls directly on the Phillies since the Eagles no longer share the stadium, but ownership thinks that is a positive for Phillies fans. Says a team representative, "When fans can associate a city's stadium with only one team, that makes for a more intimate fan experience."
The city of Philadelphia is also excited because in addition to more people being able to attend games, seating expansion should open up more jobs. Kling Stubbings architecture firm will design the expansion, and the process will open up some temporary construction jobs. But permanent jobs with the team will also become available, with a greater need for employees in sales and marketing. Seasonal jobs will also increase with the addition of more vendors and other game day help. There will also be more security positions available when the Phillies unveil their in-stadium jail down the line. Overall, this is a big win for team ownership, players, fans and the entire city of Philadelphia. And relationships, of course.
