MCKECHNIE FIELD RENOVATION BOOSTS BRADENTON TO NEW HEIGHTS
If you’ve ever been to a professional baseball game at any level, you would probably agree that the smell of hotdogs and freshly cut grass are commonplace. The sounds of fans bustling about and the sights of players performing on the field, or warming up before the game come as a constant. McKechnie Field is and has always been no different.
However, in 2013, the City of Bradenton along with funding from Manatee County added to McKechnie Field’s repertoire. The $10.5 million project was led by local companies NDC Construction and Fawley Bryant Architects, Inc.
The renovations are evident throughout the entire ballpark ranging from new restrooms to new bars to a completely revamped seating structure.
But there is one thing that will really catch your eye, the new boardwalk. “Well the boardwalk feature is the main thing…you can walk around, you can move around. It’s an entertainment venue as much as the ballpark,” Wayne Poston, Bradenton Mayor said.
The boardwalk is the most noticeable new feature, spanning the entire 19,000 foot perimeter of the outfield. The right-center field of the boardwalk is host to the ballpark Kona Bar, which gives the park a tropical ‘tiki bar’ twist.
The purpose of the renovations was not just to enhance the Spring Training experience for fans and players, according to one ballpark employee. In the 2010 the Pirates acquired and transferred their Advanced A minor league affiliate to Bradenton.
The Bradenton Marauders revitalized the upkeep of McKechnie Field.
“This stadium sat empty from the time Spring Training ended until it started the following year,” said Nancy MaGown, McKechnie Field employee who was selling Bradenton Marauder apparel next to the Kona Bar.
MaGown, much like the rest of Bradenton, has been very pleased with what the renovations have brought, “Everybody seems to be really happy with it.” MaGown also makes a prediction about the new Kona Bar and boardwalk, “I bet the stands are going to appear empty because everybody will be out here!”
The whole goal of the renovations was to bring the fans a more entertaining experience, whether it’s being as close to the field as possible or interacting with other fans.
“It’s organized, more organized… better access,” exclaimed Marina Jardo, a security employee at McKechnie Field.
Before the game, fans can walk down a set of stairs behind the Kona Bar to catch the players taking batting practice in the brand new, air-conditioned batting cages.
Yes, the renovations stretch beyond luxury for the fans. The players are not only equipped with a new batting cage facility, but also a new training and agility field and workout facility behind the right field boardwalk.
The graphic above shows the average attendance for Spring Training games at McKechnie Field from 2011-2013. The chart shows that attendance in 2013 increased by 8.91% from the past two years, presumably stemming from the renovations. If we eliminated the World Baseball Classic exhibition game played against Spain on March 5, 2013, the percentage would be slightly greater. (13.14%) In a world where Spring Training attendance, overall, is on the downswing, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the City of Bradenton are going against the tide in the best of ways.
*The data was gathered from the mlb.com/gameday archives.
Mayor, Wayne Poston and Media Director of the Pirates, Dan Hart discuss the new renovations of Mckechnie Field.