As the 100th anniversary of the Boston landmark approaches, renovations that will make make the facility more modern and fan-friendly continue.

01:00 AM EST on Thursday, February 9, 2006

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Last year, the Boston Red Sox made a long-term commitment to stay at Fenway Park and renovate the storied facility rather than build a new stadium.

Since the new ownership group -- led by principal owner John Henry -- purchased the Red Sox in December of 2001, there have been five renovation projects at Fenway, including the latest mammoth undertaking.

"This is for the preservation and protection of Fenway Park," said Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino. "And by no means is this the final element as we will work until the 100th anniversary in 2012."

The current changes and improvements to Fenway Park are 70 percent completed for the coming season. The former glass-enclosed .406 club is gone. Two new pavilion levels will be in place for Opening Day on April 11, with seats there going for $275.

Capacity will increase from 36,298 to 38,805 this season, and there are plans in the works to reach 39,968 before the centennial. That will be a 10 percent increase since the new ownership took over.

Janet Maria Smith, the club's senior vice president for planning and development, said the newest renovation is the most visible and the largest in the history of Fenway Park. When the 2005 season ended with a first-round exit in the postseason, work began almost immediately.

"When John, Tom (Werner) and Larry took over this challenge of renovation Fenway Park," said Smith, "it was meant to be a true renovation. It wasn't meant to be simply cosmetic upgrades or putting in place an obvious revenue component. We've done all this to ensure Fenway's future."

Not only will there be new seating, but there also will be upgraded power sources and new sound and sprinkler systems throughout the facility. In fact, the giant speaker in center field has been removed and the new system will keep the sound inside the park.

Because of the mild winter thus far, it appears the contractors will have no problem reaching deadline for opening day. The same company that renovated the ballpark in 1989-90 is also doing the work this time around.

Even when all the work is completed in 2012, Fenway will still be the smallest park in the majors. The vision, however, is to bring the popular landmark up to the same standards as new facilities around the majors.

"Our goal is to do a complete overhaul of the infrastructure," said Smith, "and to make this place safe and to accommodate the requirements that would put us on par with other major league parks."

While most of the work has been done inside the park, future plans are to use the club's real estate assets around Fenway to make the outside areas more accessible and fan-friendly.

"Another goal is to try to get more square footage out of Fenway by moving things out that don't have to be here," added Smith. "Still on the list are our offices. Our offices are still shoehorned into a spot inside Fenway that would be marvelous for our fans to use."

With the additions of the famed Green Monster seats, the right-field roof seats, and now the new pavilion seating, Fenway Park is becoming more and more more fan-friendly.

Said Smith: "We're ensuring (Fenway) gets safely and happily to its 100th birthday."

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340