Turchin Stadium Project Back Under way
Aug 9, 2006 | Baseball
Aug. 9, 2006
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Construction on the "new" Turchin Stadium - home of the Green Wave baseball team - has commenced as work crews are completing the demolition stage of the rebuilding process on Tulane's uptown campus.
In the last game played at Turchin Stadium, Tulane defeated Rice, 9-6, in game three of the 2005 NCAA Super Regional for the right to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. As soon as the final out was snared in foul territory in front of the third base dugout, a dogpile ensued to the left of the pitchers mound.
Today, a pile of mangled aluminum bleachers marks the site of the celebration, but few around the Tulane Athletic Department view it as anything but a positive sign.
"It's good to see the project restarted," Tulane head coach Rick Jones said. "We're looking forward to getting in the new Turchin as quickly as we possibly can."
The demolition is part of a $7.5 million rebuilding project which will feature a grandstand design of structural steel, a new playing surface and an increase in seating from 3,000 to a maximum 5,000 seats. The project will also increase the number of chair-back seats in the stadium from 900 to 2,600 and add private suites, a covered club seating area and a new press box. Updated netting and sound systems, a new outfield wall, new concession stands, new restrooms and an expanded merchandise sales area will also be included.
Club seating behind home plate will be covered and will include access to an open-air breezeway at the top of those sections. Four private suites will flank the breezeway on the first- base line and will include air conditioning and restrooms. Suites will be sold on multi-year leases and will be accessible via elevator, which will also provide access to the press box. For the first time, the press box will include individual broadcast booths, Ethernet capability and expanded space for the print media.
Tulane spent $1.5 million on the project prior to Katrina. Expansion is expected to be completed by the opening of the 2007 baseball season.
