A new suite-level lounge and viewing area will offer a behind-the-scenes experience for club- and suite-level ticket holders at Fifth Third Field.
From the lounge, located behind home plate, fans will be able to look out over the field as well as observe radio and broadcast teams in action through a new, glassed-in media area.
To create the new space, the former media area was reduced by about half and glass walls were installed around the new space. An interview area on the concourse just outside the press box will allow fans to listen in on pre- or post-game interviews.
Mud Hens President and general manager Joe Napoli said he believes the design of the space is unique.
“We’ve looked around minor and Major League ballparks and we’re pretty sure no one else is doing this,” Napoli said. “This kind of interview space is what you would see on College Gameday or ESPN Zone. You don’t typically see it in stadiums like this except for at special events. Watching interviews from just a few feet away will give fans a bit of that Hollywood feel. It’s very exciting.”
Construction started in January and will be completed in time for the exhibition game with the Detroit Tigers on April 4, said Jason Griffin, director of public and media relations.
Napoli declined to discuss the cost of the project, but said it was funded through Mud Hens operating revenues.
Ray Benjamin, special projects division manager with Maumee-based The Lathrop Company, oversaw the construction process.
“People are literally going to be able to see right into the press box area, which they couldn’t do before,” Benjamin said.
Although the renovation reduced the size of the media area, press teams will still be able to do all they did before and more, Benjamin said. Technology has improved since the stadium was built and modern equipment doesn’t require as much space, he said.
Napoli said he thinks the viewing area will be popular because the press box is always an area of interest during ballpark tours.
“We do a behind-the-scenes tour and the press area is usually one where people ‘Ooh and ah,” Napoli said.
The idea for the viewing lounge came about in part because of the popularity of a club-level lounge area at Huntington Center, Napoli said.
Toledo-based architectural design firm The Collaborative Inc. created the design.
“We are honored and excited to be a part of the process,” said lead designer and project manager Matt Pastula, in a statement.
“The Mud Hens came to us with a vision for the project and what they wanted to see this area become. We appreciated the opportunity to make the vision a reality and look forward to seeing the fans enjoy the end result.”
