The Des Moines City Council has approved spending $5.8 million on the first phase of renovations to Principal Park.
The action came Monday, before the announcement Tuesday that Endeavor Group Holdings, which purchased the team in January, had sold it to investment group Silver Lake Partners. Endeavor reportedly had come under pressure from Major League Baseball to end its ownership of the Cubs and nine other minor league teams because it also owns William Morris Endeavor, a talent agency that serves as the agent for some MLB players.
Diamond Baseball Holdings, which manages the teams, will remain in charge under Silver Lake.
The upgrades to Principal Park are a part of new standards MLB had set out for its minor league parks and are vital to the future of the club and its ability to remain the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Facilities must be in initial compliance by April 2023 and be completely compliant by April 2025.
Here’s what’s planned for Principal Park, which was built in 1992 and is the third-oldest Triple-A stadium.
New clubhouses
Clubhouses beyond the left field fence are being renovated and reconfigured to allow more room for players and new technology that was not available when the park was built. Aging mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are also being replaced, according to a memo sent to council members.
The locker room renovations include spaces for female coaches and staff members —separate space that does not exist in the current clubhouse configuration.
“Over the past 30 years the facility has been maintained as necessary to allow continued operations, but is naturally showing signs of age and deterioration,” the city’s Principal Park Master Plan said.
New batter’s eye
Fans got a glimpse of one of the renovations when a temporary new batter’s eye made of a windscreen and scaffolding was set up in June to block glare from the Iowa State Capitol’s dome. For decades hitters have complained that the glare from the golden dome impairs their ability to pick up the ball from pitchers on its way to the plate.
In early July, while the team was out of town, a storm knocked down the temporary structure, along with part of the center field wall. It was rebuilt in time for their next home series.
The first phase of renovations will add a permanent batter’s eye. Fans will still be able to see the gold dome from the 10th row of seating and above, but the batter’s eye blocks the view of the dome at field level.
New player parking
Secured player parking could be added, along with a wall outside the stadium could be added in this phase if there is money left, according to a memo sent to council members. This $735,000 option will be decided on at the time the renovations are bid out. If secured parking is not added in the first phase it will be part of the second phase, according to the master plan.
When will the first phase of renovations be finished?
Construction will start in the fall and be completed in spring 2024. Measures will be taken during the 2023 season to avoid disrupting the team and players, according to the memo sent to councilmembers.
What is next?
California sports entertainment marketing firm Endeavor bought the Iowa Cubs from media magnate Michael Gartner in December. Before the sale of the team, the city had been negotiating a lease amendment with Endeavor that would have included up to $1 million in additional funding from the owners for the project, according to the memo sent to councilmembers.
More:Iowa Cubs to be sold to California-based sports-entertainment firm Endeavor
There was no immediate indication whether the arrangement would continue under Silver Lake’s ownership of the team.
Under Gartner’s leadership, Principal Park added bleachers in right field, a fountain and new LED lights. Future additions under Endeavor could include new suites, a playground, more water features, and a video screen outside the stadium.
The city’s Principal Park Master Plan created last year has five phases.
Phase two could relocate the bullpens from their locations down the left and right field foul lines, upgrade the main entryway and create a new water feature. The bike valet could be relocated and the playing field could be improved in phase three. Phases four and five would improve the suite and mezzanine levels, improve maintenance areas and add community spaces.
Parking garages, restaurants and bars and on-street parking could also be added near the stadium, according to the master plan.
Philip Joens covers public safety, city government and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.
