What fans can expect at Covenant Health Park on Opening Day
Opening Day will be Tuesday, April 15 when the Chattanooga Lookouts come to town for a three-game series. Boyd Sports President Chris Allen said it will be a brand-new experience for both longtime Smokies fans and those checking out the team for the first time.
'It's going to be electric. I've had the privilege open up one other ballpark in my career and it's something you never forget,' Allen said. 'It's a first, everyone's excited. It's just electric. That's the best way to describe it — It's an electric atmosphere.'
How Covenant Health Park's field will accommodate baseball and soccer
Construction of the $114-million, 7,500-seat stadium has been ongoing for nearly two years. As they put in some of the finishing touches on the park, Allen said it will look quite different compared to their pervious stadium in Kodak.
'You got a 25-year difference from when that ballpark was built to this one, so this has all the state-of-the-art amenities. Whereas the old ballpark, it was traditional, had a walk around stadium seating, concourse, suites and of course, our group sales areas,' he said. 'This has got a four-top section. We got our porches. We got our suites. We got our huge club behind home plate. We've got home plate seating, which gives you VIP entrance to the club. It's just a whole unique atmosphere.'
Among some of the things that ticket holders can expect on Opening Day is a Kids Zone, where parents can bring their children to play on a hot day and still have an opportunity to watch the game.
Fans should expect 'MLB-caliber' field at Covenant Health Park, says head groundskeeper
'It's no longer just show up at the ballpark, get a ticket, sit in the seating bowl, eat a hot dog, watch the game. There are so many things going on,' said Allen.
With this stadium being built in a city, he said it may take some adjustments.
'We do have parking by the ballpark, but there is parking throughout the city to accommodate as many fans as we need to have in the ballpark or as we will have at a ballpark,' he said. 'So, there's plenty of parking, but you might just have to walk. You might have to take the shuttle.'
With a number of concessions inside the park, bringing retail, food and beer from local restaurants and breweries, Allen said there will be plenty to explore.
Tree-lined plazas, new splash pad to surround Covenant Health Park
'Fans today they want a unique experience. They don't want just about ticket and sit down and watch a ballgame. They want an experience while they're at the ballpark, so that's what we're trying to give.'
Allen added tickets will be sold and scanned digitally, and they are nearly sold out for Opening Day.
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