Hawks looking at Stadium renovations or new facility
BOISE - The 2009 Boise Hawks season might have ended Sunday, but the team's efforts to improve its facilities is just beginning.
Hawks General Manager Todd Rahr told CBS 2 at Sunday's game that the organization is having initial conversations with community and business leaders in an effort to see what the possibilities are to partner up and possibly build a new facility in Boise or other area, like Meridian.
"We're just throwing the idea out there and seeing if there's any support," Rahr said Sunday.
The Hawk's current home at Memorial Stadium is 20 years old, and it's been nearly a decade since the last major upgrade. Improving the facility is quickly becoming a team priority.
"Just to keep the relationship with the [parent franchise Chicago]Cubs where it needs to be, we've got some issues with the clubhouse. We also want to take into consideration what the fans need; wider seats, better seats, the ammenities a lot of ballparks around the country have," Rahr said.
The team has some plans in place for a renovation to Memorial Stadium, one that is expected to cost around $8 million. That money would come out of team ownership's pockets, but before that happens, the Hawks want to explore the possibilities of building a new facility somewhere different than the current location.
"We need to identify the right place for us to be," said Rahr.
Any new facility would require a significant monetary committment from a local municipality and solid local business partnerships. Because of the Labor Day holiday, local city officials weren't available for comment.
"If it's a 100 meter race, we're about five meters in," Rahr said, stressing the fact that the team's plans are no more than ideas.
"We don't have financing, we don't have drawings at this point. If we get a new facility ready for opening day 2015, I'd be happy," he quipped.
Hawks General Manager Todd Rahr told CBS 2 at Sunday's game that the organization is having initial conversations with community and business leaders in an effort to see what the possibilities are to partner up and possibly build a new facility in Boise or other area, like Meridian.
"We're just throwing the idea out there and seeing if there's any support," Rahr said Sunday.
The Hawk's current home at Memorial Stadium is 20 years old, and it's been nearly a decade since the last major upgrade. Improving the facility is quickly becoming a team priority.
"Just to keep the relationship with the [parent franchise Chicago]Cubs where it needs to be, we've got some issues with the clubhouse. We also want to take into consideration what the fans need; wider seats, better seats, the ammenities a lot of ballparks around the country have," Rahr said.
The team has some plans in place for a renovation to Memorial Stadium, one that is expected to cost around $8 million. That money would come out of team ownership's pockets, but before that happens, the Hawks want to explore the possibilities of building a new facility somewhere different than the current location.
"We need to identify the right place for us to be," said Rahr.
Any new facility would require a significant monetary committment from a local municipality and solid local business partnerships. Because of the Labor Day holiday, local city officials weren't available for comment.
"If it's a 100 meter race, we're about five meters in," Rahr said, stressing the fact that the team's plans are no more than ideas.
"We don't have financing, we don't have drawings at this point. If we get a new facility ready for opening day 2015, I'd be happy," he quipped.
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