Even as Major League Baseball has halted operations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to forge ahead with completing the Dodger Stadium renovations.
“From what I understand, yes,” answered president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman when asked over the weekend if construction was still being carried forward. The only interruptions seemingly have been due to inclement weather.
Though, it’s possible the status could change in the wake of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending gatherings not exceed 50 people. The CDC did note their suggestion did not apply to work-related settings.
At the time of unveiling plans last July, the Dodgers set a goal of completing the project by Opening Day of the 2020 season. That was set for March 26, when the Dodgers were due to host the San Francisco Giants.
MLB initially delayed the start of the season for a minimum of two weeks — targeting April 9 — but that since has been ruled out. With a mid-May Opening Day now the best-case scenario, the Dodgers presumably will be able to complete all facets before the first game is played at Chavez Ravine.
Prior to MLB’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, there was the likelihood Dodger Stadium would not have every new additional detail completed in time for the season opener.
“I’m confident that we will be open, it will be safe and fun for our fans to be here,” Dodgers senior vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith said during a tour in early March.
“Will we still have a ‘honey-do list’? Of course we will. It’s not an option not to open, so I know that having the competent architects, engineers and contractors that we do, I do feel confident that we’ll have 56,000 fans here on March 26.
“Our priority is on anything field-facing. Our No. 1 thing is it has to be ready for baseball. So the batters’ eye has to be finished, the sound system has to be up, field wall has to be in place, the seats have to be ready, which means the restrooms have to be ready. Then we sort of back into the plaza: the food, seating areas, all of the improvements that will make it a fun place.”
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