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PETCO Park
Home of the San Diego Padres
Under the architectural influence of HOK Sport, The San Diego Ballpark Builders constructed PETCO Park beginning with a Summer 2000 groundbreaking. Four years later, in April 2004, the new 18-acre stadium opened it's doors. Construction was briefly stopped due to a lack of funds, which explains the four year gap between groundbreaking and opening day. But, fortunately for the Padres, the new stadium finally opened it's doors. A capacity of more than 42,000 spectators, including over 100 luxury suites, ensures enough room for everyone. Among the amenities at PETCO Park are seven restaurants/lounges, picnic terraces, bleacher seating, dugout seats and more. The total cost for this project was a whopping $494.4 million. Of this amount, $294.1 million was used for the ballpark, itself, and the remaining $151.3 million was used for land/infrastructure. Financing came from a variety of sources, both public and private. The San Diego Padres, and baseball fans, can thank the public funding of the City of San Diego, CCDC and the Port of San Diego. Other contributions came directly from the Padres, who contributed $146.1 million in private funding.
The naming of PETCO Park, as you may expect, was developed through an agreement between the Padres and PETCO. The agreement calls for $2.7 million each year through 2026, in exchange for the naming rights to this new facility.
The San Diego Padres, after having left Jack Murphy Stadium, now call PETCO Park their permanent home. It's modern design consists of stucco, brick and steel. As fans approach this baseball-only stadium, they are greeted by a palm court, jacaranda trees and water falls. Inside the park, fans can shop the team store for official merchandise and other Padres memorabilia. Just outside the stadium is a 'Park at the Park,' which is an elevated grass lawn seating park. Fans can enjoy the game, from this quaint location, for a small fee.
Modernization is no stranger to PETCO Park, which continues it's innovations with seats featuring computer technology that allows fans to surf the world wide web or order food and beverages without leaving their seat. Talk about room service or, perhaps, seat service! A large auditorium, the Padres Hall of Fame, a kids entertainment complex and theatre are all housed at PETCO Park. Saying that there is truly something for everyone has never been more factual than when speaking of this San Diego facility. PETCO Park is still new, but it's presence is already making history. A combination of modern construction, lavish landscaping and a fan friendly atmosphere come together to make game day an experience like never before.
© 2006 Baseballparkonline.com - All rights reserved.
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