Cleveland Building Trades Helped Transform Progressive Field

Cleveland Building Trades Helped Transform Progressive FieldWhile the Cleveland Indians wrapped up spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., members of the Cleveland Building Trades put the finishing touches to a number of major off-season renovations at Progressive Field.For the second consecutive baseball offseason, area tradesmen and tradeswomen spent the fall and winter transforming Progressive Field from its initial 20-year-old design into a stadium designed to bring baseball fans back to the “Corner of Carnegie and Ontario.”The second phase of renovations included a new club area behind home plate for Diamond and Field Box Front season ticket holders, expansion of various concession stands, replacing seats with drinking rails in left field and new scoreboards.Dave Wondolowski, Executive Secretary of the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, said that although the renovation was not covered under a Project Labor Agreement, nearly all the work was done by members of the Cleveland Building Trades.Originally called Jacob’s Field and built under a PLA, the ballpark’s first major renovation was also completed last year under a PLA.Similar to the work done last year that added concession stands in right field, craftsmen constructed new concession stands throughout the ballpark that will feature food offerings from local establishments such as Melt, Barrio, Sweet Moses, Great Lakes Brewing Co. and Dynomite Burgers.One of the biggest updates fans will easily notice is the new, larger main scoreboard in center field. Replacing the 11-year-old scoreboard is a new, high-definition scoreboard that measures in at 13,039 square feet (59 feet high by 221 feet wide).It was installed in conjunction with new “ribbon boards,” thin panels that adorn the upper level and display stats and ads. The out-of-town scoreboards embedded within the left field wall also were replaced, as was the stadium’s sound system.“We are grateful for the ongoing commitment to the Cleveland Building Trades made by the Indians organization,” said Wondolowski. “We are proud of the fact that we not only built the stadium but also that we continue to renovate and maintain it. We wish the Cleveland Indians the best of luck in their upcoming season.”