With the venerable ballpark in the midst of a facelift, the Red Sox announce that Fenway Park will remain the team's home for the foreseeable future.

09:04 AM EST on Thursday, March 24, 2005

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Fenway Park has been a baseball cornerstone for generations, and the Boston Red Sox' ownership wants the storied ballpark to remain a strong foundation for posterity.

With construction crews working hard to finish the facelift in time for Boston's home opener on April 11 against the archrival New York Yankees, the Red Sox announced yesterday that Fenway will remain the club's home for the foreseeable future.

The announcement put an end to years of debate whether the franchise would be better served by a new stadium or having the current aging ballpark expanded. The answer has been clear since John Henry became principal owner of the Red Sox three years ago, and yesterday he committed to the 93-year-old facility and its surrounding neighborhood.

"This is an historic day for baseball," said Henry. "This is an historic day for Boston. This is a victory for all of us who love this park. I know that there are many fans out there who feel what I feel every day when I drive into Fenway -- a great sense of excitement. It never gets old."

Built in 1912, Fenway Park has undergone many changes, and the latest improvements will accommodate both the fans and players.

Under the announced plans, starting with the almost-completed renovations for the upcoming season, Fenway's seating capacity will be increased from 36,298 to 38,805 by the 2006 season, and eventually will reach 39,000.

Federal or state aid will not be required for the projects, and according to Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino, "This is a no-strings-attached commitment we are making to Fenway Park for the long term."

Ticket prices, which already are the highest, on average, in the game, will remain the same, according to Lucchino, who said he doesn't foresee an increase because of the renovations.

Some of the improvements would include the expansion of the Red Sox' clubhouse, a new batting tunnel behind the Sox' dugout, first base grandstand expansion, a new playing field with a state-of-the-art drainage system and a new restaurant called "Game On!" on the corner of Brookline Avenue and Lansdowne Street.

Journal photo / Bob Thayer

Janet Marie Smith, the Red Sox' senior vice president for planning and development, surveys the renovations scene at Fenway Park yesterday, when the team announced that it plans to continue playing at the old ballpark.

Fenway's surrounding areas would have new and wider sidewalks, tree-lined streets and new lights. The building's facade is in the process of being restored to resemble its look in the early 1900s.

Next season, the glass-enclosed .406 Club will be converted into two new levels, including 800 open-air seats. And roof-box seating will be expanded to include an area for 100 standing-room positions.

Lucchino couldn't put a monetary figure on the improvements, but said the club has spent tens of millions of dollars to this point and will continue to improve the ballpark in years to come.

Fenway is the oldest and smallest park in the majors, and the team is banking on the intimacy, magic, energy and charm to keep what the team calls "America's most beloved ballpark."

"This is a happy occasion for us," said Lucchino. "This is an important occasion for us, and we think it is an historic occasion for us and all of Red Sox Nation. We are thrilled to announce that the Red Sox will remain at Fenway Park for the long term. The Red Sox will be playing games at Fenway Park for years to come, and we hope for generations to come. We have no plans to be anywhere else than right here."

The grand scheme is to celebrate the park's centennial in 2012. When the Sox and Fenway reach that that milestone in seven years, it'll be the first major-league facility to celebrate 100 years.

The workers have faced the daunting task of completing the job during the harsh winter months, and with only 19 days until the Sox' home opener, there's still a lot of work to be completed.

Janet Marie Smith, the club's vice president of planning and development, said all the improvements will be "usable" by Opening Day.

"This is an extremely proud moment for all of us," said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. "It's been a labor of love, and anyone sitting here knows the special qualities that Fenway Park possesses. There's a reason why it is not only the No. 1 tourist attraction in the Commonwealth (of Massachusetts), but in New England. That's because of the unique and special qualities that mean so much to us as fans.

"The fact that we can actually now plant our flag here," added Werner, "and remain here for the future is something that is exciting for all of us."

Said Henry: "We're just getting started."