WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsBrewers making improvements to Miller Park

Brewers making improvements to Miller Park

MILWAUKEE – Miller Park has received awards and high acclaim from media and fan surveys in recent years, and the Brewers are once again using the off-season to take the fan experience to even higher levels with a series of improvement projects for 2010.

“Each year, we solicit feedback from fans and other Brewers stakeholders as we look to understand their changing tastes, preferences and suggestions for enhancing Miller Park,” said Brewers Executive Vice President – Business Operations Rick Schlesinger. “We take great pride in the accolades that Miller Park has received from media and fans alike, and we intend to continue building on what we believe is the best fan experience in all of sports.”

Most recently, Miller Park was recognized in ESPN The Magazine’s “2009 Ultimate Standings: Fan Satisfaction Rankings.” Overall, the Brewers placed 7^th out of 122 major league franchises in the survey, and the Brewers ranked #3 among all 122 teams in the categories of “Stadium Experience” and “Affordability.” In addition, in SI.com’s most recent survey, Miller Park rated second overall in the Fan Ballpark Rankings.

Work has already started on the Terrace Level where the team is renovating the existing merchandise store to create a new “Brewers Team Store on Terrace Level.”  The store, which is modeled (on a smaller scale) after the award-winning Team Store by Majestic on the Field Level, will be upgraded to improve customer flow and overall visibility.  The renovations will consist of an expansion of the current footprint as well as new lighting, signage, cash-wraps, store fixtures and floor design. The Brewers will also feature a variety of new merchandise in the store, which is scheduled to be accessible during home games when the Miller Park gates are open.

Another upgrade will be in the right field corner of the Field Level outside of Miller Park. In that area, the Plaza Pavilion is being constructed, which involves upgrading an existing smoking area into an outdoor gathering location. The expanded area will consist of a tent structure, lighting, televisions, furniture, additional fencing and portable food and beverage stands. The area will be open free of charge to all ticketed fans prior to and during Brewers home games.

For fans interested in history, the Milwaukee Braves Wall of Honor, located on the third base side of the Field Level concourse, will be upgraded to include new plaques, artwork, lighting and photo banners.  The Braves Wall of Honor celebrates the National League team that called Milwaukee home from 1953 to 1965.

Meanwhile, as the Brewers franchise enters its 40^th Anniversary season, the parking lots surrounding Miller Park are being renamed in honor of some of the city’s baseball legends.  Twelve lots around Miller Park will be adorned with names of former Milwaukee Brewers and Braves players, with banners and other artwork notating the new designations. Uniformed members of the Brewers and Braves Walk of Fame are represented, with lots named after Henry Aaron, Cecil Cooper, Rollie Fingers, Jim Gantner, Harvey Kuenn, Eddie Mathews, Paul Molitor, Don Money, Warren Spahn, Gorman Thomas, Bob Uecker and Robin Yount. 

The “Uecker Lot” will include a special twist for fans.  For every game, 10 spaces will be available in “Uecker’s Front Row.”  Every night, 10 cars paying cash for general parking will be selected at random to move up to the front row of the Uecker Lot for only $1.  A row of decorated “Uecker’s Front Row” parking spaces will be reserved for these randomly selected fans.

Several other off-season projects may not be visible to fans coming to Miller Park, but they will impact the team on the field.  For example, the Brewers will make improvements to the interior and the exterior of the home clubhouse.  A new look entrance will welcome players and team staff while fresh paint and carpeting will adorn the interior of the clubhouse.

Finally, the Brewers Baseball Operations department will take over part of the right field corner of the Terrace Level as a new “War Room” is constructed.  New offices and meeting space will be fitted with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the Club’s scouting and baseball operations efforts.