PNC Park undergoing $1.9M seat rehab ahead of 2020 Pirates season
As the Pirates gear up for the annual PiratesFest event this weekend, workers are preparing PNC Park for the upcoming season with a $1.9 million seating rehab.
The Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, which owns the stadium, last year approved the replacement of bottoms, backs and hinges for upper bowl seats.
According to the SEA, the seats are original to the stadium and installed 20 years ago. Seat bottoms were cracked, backs were split at the top and the paint was worn.
Pirate spokesman Brian Warecki said the work is part of the team’s efforts to ready the stadium for the 2020 season.
“The seat replacement currently taking place is part of a longer-term plan of replacing the seats throughout the ballpark to ensure comfort and performance,” he said.
He said the team would announce project and other ballpark improvements designed to improve the fan experience before the season starts.
The SEA pays for capital improvements through money generated by a 5% surcharge on tickets.
PiratesFest includes photo and autograph sessions, games and baseball activities and appearances by players and executives. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at PNC Park.
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