FirstEnergy Stadium upgraded for the 2008 season

Reading, PA – The Reading Phillies have nearly completed five renovation projects at FirstEnergy Stadium for the 2008 season and have also relocated one concession stand. 

The former carving station, that was located just inside the main gates, has been moved to the third base side of the stadium, just behind the Fairgrounds Square Mall Picnic Area. The stand will now feature a menu that boasts cheese steaks and new pub burgers. 

Directly across from the relocated concession stand is one of two brand new areas. The Corona Hot Corner Bar has been built underneath the left field grandstand much like the Classic Café was under the right field grandstand. The Hot Corner Bar has an island feel to it, offers a unique view of the infield and will serve bottled beverages like Corona, the Mike’s Hard Lemonade line and more.

At the main entrance, where the carving station stand was, is a team store, the second new addition. Merchandise featuring Reading’s new logos, unveiled in November, has been very popular and this area will provide fans a better shopping experience than ever before at an R-Phils game. Fans will be able to browse the R-Phils wide selection of merchandise as opposed to shopping from in front of a counter as they have in the past. The Phillies old counter-style souvenir stand, adjacent to the new area, will be utilized as a cap shop and carry select novelty items.

Two of the remaining three renovations have occurred at the Coors Light Deck in left field. Gone is the void that used to exist between the left field grandstand and The Deck. In its place is the Chick-fil-A Fowl Porch. A new, exclusive experience for groups of 20, the Porch is located in "fowl" territory and offers a 2 1/2 hour all-you-can-eat buffet, a unique perspective of the game and a bird's eye view of the visitor's bullpen. Bar stool seating with eating rails and stem tables adds to the atmosphere. Dingers Bar on the Coors Light Deck, and the Boardwalk, are conveniently located in close proximity. 

On the other side of the Coors Light Deck resides the exclusive 50-60 person Rock Hits Y-102 Power Alley Pub, the first of two existing areas to be renovated. The Pub, built for the 2001 season, has been expanded to accommodate two eight-person picnic tables. Like the Chick-fil-A Fowl Porch, the Pub features a 2 1/2 hour all-you-can-eat buffet plus a private bar with bartender, snacks and hot dogs served throughout the game, two rows of seats (16), barstools and the new tables. 

An existing stand atop the third base side of the main grandstand has been converted into the Bud Box. This means that beer, specifically Anheuser-Busch products, will be available full-time on the upper concourse for the first time in the ballpark’s existence. Until now, the upper concourse of the main grandstand only offered hot dogs, ice cream, snacks and soft drinks. Before transforming into the Bud Box, this location had been a television broadcast booth, furniture gallery, video game station, barber shop and a variety of other things throughout the years. 

The upgrades have not affected FirstEnergy Stadium’s capacity. It remains at 9,000 seats. 

FirstEnergy Stadium was completed in 1951 and is the oldest venue in the 12-team Eastern League. Harrisburg’s Commerce Bank Park, opened in 1987, is the second oldest. Since owner Craig Stein began operating the franchise in 1988, the team has invested over $7 million dollars in upgrades like these that enhance fan experience. 

Ticket Office Open: The box office at FirstEnergy Stadium opened at 8:30 AM today for individual ticket sales. Tickets, available online since February 20, can now be purchased in person or by phone (610-375-8469), Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM and on Saturdays through April 5 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. 

This story was posted on February 27, 2008