Big Changes Coming To Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Ravens have always been invested in the best interest of their fans, and now they're investing even more -- $120 million to be exact.
The Ravens say they used fan feedback to ramp up the technology and will be using their recently-increased budget to enhance a few more stadium upgrades that should be completed before the 2019 season.
RELATED: Ravens, State Budget $144M for Stadium Improvements
Ravens President, Dick Cass, detailing the new upgrades.
"We have to keep the stadium new and fresh and a great place to come," says Cass.
Some of the improvements include:
Bigger Screens
Each new board will add 1,600 square feet of new video, statistics and scores in the open upper corners. Screens will be 45% larger (7,400 sq. ft vs 3,300 sq. ft) than the current boards and will feature "state of the art" technology for better video quality.
New Kitchen
Primary kitchen facilities will be expanded and upgraded to provide better food quality throughout the stadium.
Escalators
Escalators will be added to the Northwest and Southeast corners for all of the fans that need to travel to the upper 500 levels.
Club Level
Updates to the club level include new finishes, re-designed concessions and additional video elements in the lounges.
Construction hasn't started yet, but after renovations, anywhere you see a gap will be filled with video, ensuring that no matter where you sit in the stadium, you'll be able to see every play and statistic in real time.
"It gives us a chance to give fans the statistics that they've been asking for the highlights that they've been asking for or the replays they've been asking for," says Jay O'Brien, Director of Broadcasting, Game Day Productions.
"Sometimes you can't see the whole play and you can look up the screen and see the replay and all that," says football fan, Dale DeBerry.
In 2018 and 2019 new escalators and elevators will be installed, improving access to the upper bowl.
The project will cost $144 million dollars, with the Ravens pitching $120 million dollars, and the Maryland Stadium Authority another $24 million.
"They could've probably spent in on something else, probably to lower ticket prices," says Regina Gee, Ravens fan.
"I don't it needed them, but I'd be happy to see them," says Ravens fan Monica Lynd.
The finished product will take 2 and half years to complete, with construction beginning next week. The Ravens have not announced what their ticket prices will be in 2017.
M&T Bank stadium was recently ranked number 1 in the NFL by stadium journey magazine for the fan experience.
The Ravens last enhanced the stadium with advanced Wi-Fi capabilities for fan use, redesigned concession stands, concourse upgrades and LED board advances in 2013.
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