The Reno Zephyrs have announced an new and somewhat ambitious expansion to their home park known as Washoe Field. Pending league approval, the ball club will add 10,000 new seats to the west side upper and lower dec. This is the second time the team has increased seats since the park was built back in 2016. The seat addition will bring the total number up to 60,000. The average attendance numbers for the team have been steadily increasing over the last few seasons and season tickets sales are projected to increase by 26 percent this coming season. In 2032, Reno drew almost three and a half million fans to the park. All signs point towards this being the right investment at the right time.

“We feel that this is a prudent time to invest in the ball park. It is something our fans should appreciate,” says Reno Zephyrs manager Tony “Whitey” Carmona.

Construction will take place over the next two months. Pending city approval, the Zephyrs will begin work immediately to have it ready for the 2033 season. The project will be 100 percent privately financed by the team.
The existing seats along the west side will remain in place with a new sections being added to the front and back, while a four-story, near-vertical wall will be erected above it, with new concourses jutting out and extending over the sidewalk and entryway. A sweeping roof will protect the new seats from the elements.

The Zephyrs say existing season ticket holders will be given first chance to transfer their seats to the new section, based on when their priority numbers (i.e., the date they originally bought their tickets).

California based construction firm Kiewitt Engineering and Construction will be responsible for the project. The multi-billion dollar company has headed up big-name projects around the world, including Filipski’s Topless Food Delivery headquarters, Kennedy’s Market District headquarters, US embassies, art museums, and university buildings.

All things said, the team hopes the seating additions will bring in increased revenue for the team and provide greater access and enjoyment for the fans, a true win-win situation. As always, time will tell.