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 Yankee Stadium
New York, NY
When fans of any sport
are asked what the most famous sports stadium in the world is, most
answer Yankee Stadium. They answer with this because Yankee Stadium
is known as the home to many legendary baseball players and 26 World
Championship teams. In 2009, the name will stay the same but the New
York Yankees will move into a new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have
played at Yankee Stadium since 1923 except during the 1974 and 1975
seasons when it was renovated and rebuilt. Since the last renovation
nearly 20 teams have constructed new ballparks in the 1990s or
during the 21st century. While many fans and traditionalists would
prefer the Yankees to continue to play at Yankee Stadium, the team
sees a new ballpark bringing in more revenue and offering fans more
amenities and luxuries. After years of discussions and rumors, the New York Yankees officially announced
plans for a new Yankee Stadium in June 2005. Currently being
constructed adjacent to the current Yankee Stadium, it will open in April 2009. The Yankees will pay for all costs, estimated at
around $1.3 billion for construction and all maintenance costs.
Tradition and the look of
the original Yankee Stadium prior to its renovation in the 1970s will be
incorporated into the new stadium. The new Yankee Stadium will seat
approximately 53,000 fans as the main grandstand will consist of four
levels stretching from foul pole to foul pole, with nearly 30,000
seats in the first two levels. The third level will contain 60
luxury suites and the fourth level will feature a split level upper deck.
Fans who enjoy sitting in the bleachers at the current Yankee
Stadium will be able to do so at the new stadium as it will have the
same amount of bleachers and include a food court. Many elements will be incorporated into the new
stadium that were lost when Yankee Stadium was renovated in the
1970s.
The stadium will be comprised of two separate structures. The
exterior wall consisting of limestone and granite, constructed to replicate the original Yankee Stadium
built in 1923 will be known as the Great Hall. It will feature
31,000 square feet and serve as the concourse before entering the
stadium. The interior stadium itself will rise over the top of the
exterior. From the outside the structures will look like one
building almost identical in materials and design to the original
stadium.
The signature frieze, the lattice work that once rimmed the original
stadium roof and was recreated in the outfield of the current
stadium, will be added to the new stadium's roof. The famously
cavernous concourses will give way to open spaces with sightlines to
the field from nearly every vantage point. Monument park will be
moved to a new location beyond the outfield fence in centerfield
below a restaurant that will be the batters eye. The new stadium
will have the same dimensions and bullpen placements as the old
Yankee Stadium had. A 58ft. by 103ft. high definition video
scoreboard, six times larger than the current one will be found at
the stadium. Hand operated scoreboards will be incorporated as part
of the right-center and left-center fences. There will be many
amenities at the new stadium including luxury suites, outdoor
suites, party suites, club seats, a martini bar, steakhouse and
picnic areas. A Yankees Museum will be located along the right field
concourse and display memorabilia of great Yankee teams and players
from the past.
Ground breaking occurred on August 16,
2006 and the stadium will be completed in April 2009. The Yankees
will finance the $1.3 billion project, and the City of New York will
spend $220 million for infrastructure and other improvements in the
area. The current Yankee Stadium will be demolished in spring 2009
and converted into a public park area featuring a baseball and
softball field. Nearly 12,000 trees will be planted in the shape of
the stadium.
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