The West Michigan Whitecaps, the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers made the major announcement that the team will doing a major renovation of LMCU Ballpark. CEO Lew Chamberlin, at a press conference on Thursday, revealed that the nearly 30 year old facility will undergo major upgrades and improvements, some of which are mandated by Major League Baseball to bring it up to standards set by MLB when it took over control of Minor League Baseball in 2021.
Phase 1 will start this spring, it will consist of a new clubhouse and player amenities and training facilities. The field will also be replace and reconfigured with new field dimensions. The new clubhouse will be built on the third base side of the stadium and the Whitecaps will switch which dugout they use. Their old clubhouse will become the clubhouse for the road team when complete by opening day of 2024.
The bullpens which currently are in foul territory will be relocated behind the outfield wall. And the current lawn areas will be turned into club and terrace seating. A new lawn area will be located above the bullpen area.
Safety netting will extend from foul pole to foul pole, the current safety nets ended at the end of the dugouts.
Phase 2 begins in 2025 which will include a new front entrance, with a new ticket area and team shop. A new home plate club level area and newly reimaging suites. A wider concourse area and a brand new center field hospitality club and special events center. And for the first time fans will be able to walk completely around the ballpark.
Video and further images of the renderings are available at:
https://www.milb.com/west-michigan/ballpark/modernizationproject
Ballpark Rendering courtesy West Michigan Whitecaps/MILB
