BREWERS STADIUM

Miller Park is a traditional ballpark reflecting local architecture, but has a retractable dome roof to protect against the cool weather in Wisconsin during the spring and fall. The ballpark is located in what used to be the center field parking lot of Milwaukee County Stadium, the Brewers' former home field. The originally scheduled April 1999 opening was delayed because of financial problems which were eventually resolved and a crane accident which killed three workers. The delay meant that the 1999 All Star game was not played in Milwaukee as planned, although it was played there in 2002.Construction of the park began on October 22, 1996, followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking on November 9, 1996. Miller Brewing Co. bought the naming rights to the ballpark. The stadium was named Miller Park and would feature a retractable roof. Huber, Hunt & Nichols Inc. of Indianapolis was selected by the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District board for construction of Miller Park. The Architects were HKS, Inc. (Dallas), NBBJ (L.A.), Eppstein Uhen Architects (Milwaukee). The Milwaukee Brewers opened the ballpark on April 6, 2001, with a capacity of 42,400 the park is very intimate. The main four tier grandstand extends from home plate to both foul poles. The second, third, and fourth decks extend around the left field foul into left center field. Additional seating is behind the right field fence. Concourses on the field level allow fans to see the game while walking around the ballpark. The Uecker Seats, named after legendary Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker are located in the upper deck terrace level behind home plate and are only $1; because the seats have an obstructed view caused by the roof pivot. A huge video board is above the hitters backdrop in centerfield. Manual scoreboards located on both the left and right field walls keep fans notified of scores of other MLB games. Outside Miller Park are statues of Milwaukee icons, such as Hank Aaron. The facade of Miller Park consist of red brick, and arched windows along the entrance. There is also a clock tower near the main entrance of Miller Park. Miller Park has many unique features. The main feature being the retractable roof. The 12,000 ton, seven panel roof which cost $50 million has a unique fan shape design. The roof can open or close in ten minutes, and sits 175 feet above second base. Miller Park has 11,700 seats and 20 skyboxes on the main field level, another 12,650 seats on the loge level, 4,150 seats and 50 skyboxes on the suite level and 14,500 seats on the upper terrace level. Miller Park has no air conditioning, but an air circulation system keeps the ballpark thirty degrees above the outside temperature when the roof is closed. With the move from County Stadium to Miller Park, came Bernie the Brewer and the racing sausages. A new home for Bernie the Brewer was built and is located in left field. Miller Park has many amenities in which County Stadium did not. A Brewers Hall of Fame, children’s area, brew pub, open air patios, and walkways are throughout Miller Park. T.G.I. Friday's Front Row Sports Grill, and the .300 Club are the features of the left field "Hot Corner." The Brewers hope to develop a championship team while at Miller Park. Despite the new stadium and the protestations of the ownership that the influx of hundreds of millions of dollars of public funding that would improve the team the Brewers have continued to slump since the opening of Miller Park, though beginning to show signs of promise in 2004.