In anticipation of Tuesday’s Red Sox home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, team officials are touting the ongoing “Year Five” renovation, which includes a series of ambitious improvements to seating and amenities at legendary Fenway Park.
Speaking to reporters under light snowfall on Yawkey Way, Red Sox President Larry Lucchino welcomed Boston Mayor Menino and voiced his pleasure about the renovations.
“We’ve got a lot of things that will be positive for regular fans coming [to Fenway Park],” Lucchino said. “The ‘Year Five’ improvements have been the biggest — and I hope people will find one of the best — of the annual improvements that we have done.”
The goal of the project is to preserve Fenway’s classic charm while creating some practical and fan-friendly improvements, Luccino said.
“Our goal is to work in small details to make the ballpark bigger, warmer and more comfortable, but not do any damage to the essential charm and eccentricity,” he said.
New staircases and wider sidewalks aim to curtail foot traffic in and around the park, allowing fans to avoid crowded ramps and concourses. The new stairs, situated near Gate D on the corner of Yawkey Way and Van Ness Street, provide access to upper-level seating as well as concessions at a newly expanded First Base Deck.
Luccino said Red Sox games regularly fill the park and the improvements are aimed at finding places to seat sell-out crowds of more than 36,000 people.
Among the most prominent changes to the park are new seating areas behind home plate, in the .406 Club – named after Ted Williams’ batting average – where fans have often blamed the glass panes for increasing the sun’s glare. Last October workers shattered the glass panes in the .406 Club, been replaced by two open-air seating areas.
“[The removal of the glass] is going to create greater excitement and electricity in the ball park,” said Lucchino. “I think that was a quiet spot in the park. It won’t be anymore.”
Menino and Lucchino conversed amiably while touring the revamped facilities, stopping briefly to admire the lounge areas, fully equipped with multiple flat-screen televisions, a modern open kitchen area and two bars.
The mayor seemed particularly impressed with the open-air seating, calling the view “spectacular.”
Aside from the open-air seats, 1,400 seats were added to the park and standing room was expanded. A state-of-the-art sound system, including 488 speakers, was installed throughout the park as well.
In addition, new concessions — such as hot panini-grilled sandwiches, onion rings and Kettle Korn — will make their Fenway debut next week.
Fans should get used to annual improvements, Lucchino said, as the team prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012.
“We would like to have the whole ballpark and the ecosystem around the park in the best shape possible by that time,” he said.