A few weeks back I was invited to a stadium tour of the Reading Phillies home ballpark while under contruction. When this project was announced I have to admit I was very upset to hear of the changes and worried that the ballpark fun of my childhood would be washed under by a fancy new stadium and erase the place of so many good times.
I was wrong. The stadium will retain much of what I liked about it and add more concessions, restrooms and a spacious entry gate. Also, not usually noticed by the average fan, new stadium lights will be installed as well as padded outfield walls and the original concrete surface of the stands is being recoated.
Gone will be the original main gate that will be encroached upon by the new self enclosed clubhouse store and will still find use as an exit tunnel.
What is left of the original main gate.
With an RSVP time set at 9:40 am this morning, we arrived to a friendly welcome by R-Phil’s front office staff and offered free hot dogs and coffee or hot chocolate.
We were then gathered by our tour guide, community relations director Matt Hoffmaster, who led us into the temporary office trailer where we found General Manager Scott Hunsicker who welcomed us and explained the process and necessity of the renovation. He spoke of the last major changes made in 1993 and that a total of $9 million was spent over the past 17 years in upgrades to the park. Also mentioned that there was research put into finding a new stadium spot closer to the riverfront in Reading that most fans opposed and it was decided that the stadium would stay at the same spot it has been for decades. The current renovations cost $10 million.
Beginning the tour
We started off the tour by looking at what used to be the main gate. The ticket office has been expanded as well as office space for the team staff. There will be 4 total ticket windows, increased from 2 and it was also mentioned that the staff had increased by almost 15 full time employees since the last renovations in 1993.
We then moved into the food court area where permanant buildings are being erected to house many concessions. I asked about the tunnel underneath the grandstand and if concessions would remain and all would remain except for one ice cream stand and the large booth near the visitor’s locker room.
We finished the tour in about 15-20 minutes and were offered a lot of information in that short time. It was a brisk sunny morning and smiles were seen on all.. especially myself. The R-Phils have really gone out of their way to keep the history and traditions of the Reading baseball town intact. Many photos of each Reading Phillies team of the past and beyond will be posted for all to see and the grandstand and field will look almost identical to how it was before. Makes you thankful that baseball fans thrive on history and tradition.
Also of note, we were provided with complimentary Reading Phillies construction hard hats. Very nice addition to my collection. Even got to check in with our old friend Tommy Viola, formerly of the Ironpig’s Radio network and currently the media director of the R-Phils.
Thanks go out to Scott Hunsicker, Matt Hoffmaster and all of the Reading Phillies organization for the opportunity to check out the work in progress. I am definately going to catch some games in Reading in 2011!
OinK!
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