Ballpark Renovations Breathe New Life Into Great Falls Baseball
“We took the old souvenir shop and turned it into the new operation offices for the day-to-day general business of the ball club,” said Mike Tobacco of Tobacco Construction of Black Eagle, Mont., whose company added a new 3,500-sq-ft concession area to the original concourse. “The old offices became skyboxes where groups or companies can rent the suites for parties and business gatherings.
According to Lorie Harris, director of marketing for the Voyagers, people can go outside or watch the game inside and conduct their business in the glass-enclosed suites. The two skyboxes can fit groups of approximately 36 and 16, she says.
Phase five completes the stadium and brings it up to building and health department codes. There are now enough restrooms and the concession area is much more fan- friendly.
Also included in the renovation are two beer service areas along with a complete facelift on the existing stadium’s exterior, including landscaping and the addition of a second entrance, making it easier to get in and out of the ballpark.
Office area includes: Waiting area, reception area, four offices, intern office area, break area, staff restrooms.
Skybox area includes: Reception area, three sky boxes, men�s and women�s restrooms
Concourse area includes: HR offices, stadium staff office, two retail shops, booster club area, family restrooms, storage area and circulation area
Picnic & berm area includes: Picnic area, playground, grass berm
Visitors bullpen area includes: Visitors warm-up mounds (two) groundskeeper storage
New Construction: Concession stands, two beer areas, men�s and women�s restrooms
New Seating (Total)
� Stadium seating: 2,400 to 2,700 box and general admission seating
� Picnic: 250 seats
� Berm area: Left Field�250
� Berm area: Right Field�250
Stuff adds that work down the right field line includes a new groundskeepers building, picnic area, playground area, a new bullpen and new fencing. There is a new berm along the third baseline as well, allowing for greater seating capacity.
“We’ve begun discussions about how the renovated stadium might provide a great venue for other activities such as outdoor concerts, wedding receptions and other gatherings,” says Marty Basta, director of parks and recreation for the city of Great Falls, which owns the land on which the stadium is located and has a 50-year lease agreement with the ball club.
The park is also home to the city’s American Legion club and other youth baseball squads with more Legion and youth games being played in the stadium than the Voyagers. The pros play a rookie short-season schedule from June to early September. “Overall, I think the renovation is outstanding and when completed, it will be a beautiful facility. What they are doing out in right field with the berm and playground equipment will make it a much more fan-friendly environment,” Basta adds. “I’m excited to see what people’s reactions will be when they see the completely renovated stadium.”