Pierce County and City of Tacoma officials toured Cheney Stadium Friday to receive an update on a $30 million renovation slated to be completed by April 15, when the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers host the Sacramento River Cats.
The renovation, which is being completed by Mortenson Construction, broke ground immediately following the 2010 baseball season. It includes a redesigned and covered concourse, a right field grass berm with an attached children’s play area, new bleachers beyond the left field wall, 300 club seats behind home plate, a 5,000 square foot club/restaurant, and 16 luxury suites. It also includes a new outfield fence line with inset bull pens, and improved dugouts for home and away teams with tunnels and clubhouses directly behind each dugout.
As part of the project, the Rainiers entered into a 30-year lease with the City of Tacoma, which owns the stadium. Pierce County gave up its partial ownership stake in 51-year-old Cheney Stadium in a swap with the City of Tacoma in 2009 (the county got the Narrows Airport). But city and county officials all remain keenly interested in the ballpark’s renovation, as it will contribute to the quality of life and serve as an excellent economic development tool for the region, according to county officials.
“This project goes so far beyond the Tacoma Rainiers,” Rainiers Team President Aaron Artman said last year. “A renovated Cheney Stadium will become a landmark and source of pride for the community. It speaks to a ton of hard work and a deep partnership between the Cheney Foundation, the City of Tacoma, Pierce County and the team. That’s the beauty of this venue. We’re able to offer fans new and improved amenities, from luxury suites and new club to more concessions and rest rooms. At the same time, coming to a game will remain very affordable so everybody in the community can experience what is sure to be one of the crown jewels of stadiums in the country.”
Participating in Friday’s tour were Mike Combs (pictured top), Spiro Manthou and Randy Lewis of the City of Tacoma, Pierce County Councilmember Rick Talbert (a former member of the Tacoma City Council), Pierce County Deputy Executive Kevin Phelps and county Communications Director Hunter George.
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For related Tacoma Daily Index coverage, click on the following links:
Artists selected for Cheney Stadium public art projects — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1863595&more=0
Tacoma Arts Commission seeks artists to create artwork for Cheney Stadium — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1798830&more=0
Play Ball: A $30M vision for Cheney Stadium — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1726305&more=0
Minor League Team, Major League Fan: An interview with Tacoma Rainiers fan and blogger Justin Carleton — http://www.feedtacoma.com/docs/20080326-index-article-rainiers-fan.pdf
The Business of Balls and Strikes: Can the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers become a major player in Puget Sound sports? — http://www.feedtacoma.com/docs/20080326-index-article-rainiers-fan.pdf
