Work continues on upgrades to Spitz Stadium
PROGRESS BEING MADE DESPITE WEATHER
This year, winter seems reluctant to leave.
But eventually we’ll have spring — and baseball!
And contractors are hoping prolonged cold temperatures won’t delay their upgrades at the city’s home of baseball, Spitz Stadium.
“Our contractors have committed to a very tight construction schedule,” says Ric Johnston, the City’s project manager. And they have “been doing a very good job.”
The steelwork for the enlarged facility has been erected, and work is underway on other parts of the $2.3-million project.
“Even though we have had two serious cold spells since erection started in late November, the steel fabricators and erectors have continuously been working,” Johnston says.
“We have not lost any time on the schedule because of their significant efforts.”
The ballpark’s upgrades will include new washrooms, a new concession stand and elevator access to the grandstand’s top level. They also include new announcer and press booths, and designated upper-level seating for mobility-limited ball fans.
The ball season begins in May, Johnston points out, with high school games and training sessions for the Lethbridge Bulls. While the field will be ready, he says, there won’t be any access to grandstand that soon.
“The intent is to have the addition open for the beginning of the Bulls season, with the first home game being in the first week of June.”
But that depends on the weather between now and then, he says.
“We have a significant amount of concrete to pour,” so hoarding and heating will be required.
Block partitions in the upper concourse also have to be placed.
“In the event that the amenities on the upper concourse are not complete, we have provision to have the grandstand seating area open,” he adds.
A new “stand alone” concession booth will also be built on the third base line, Johnston said, and that will be completed later in the summer.
The ballpark, built in 1975, can seat more than 2,000 fans. With more than 250 games a year, city officials say annual attendance is estimated at 55,000.
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