NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion baseball provides a one of a kind experience for its fans in the Rally Alley Fan Zone, but that is about to get better. The program announced recently that the plan to move forward with the building of a state-of-the-art deck has been approved.
Construction on the deck began in the summer of 2017 and will be completed for the 2018 season.
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"We are fired up about our new fan area in Rally Alley," said head coach Chris Finwood. "This will help us add to our fans' experience at our games and help us create a fun atmosphere. The multiple tiers will create great sight lines and the permanent bar and grill will be a definite upgrade for all our fans that enjoy the Rally Alley experience."
The 2,761 square-foot deck will feature three raised sections of entertaining space, with a variety of seating options, and its own concession platform. Deck one will be 821 square feet, with deck two coming in at 955 square feet and deck three reaching 985 square feet. All three levels will be completely ADA accessible. The flooring will be constructed with environmentally friendly colored brick pavers with a railing system constructed with wood and steel cables based on maritime associated designs. The deck will also be wrapped with a campus standard brick face, with the landscape including native seaside plants and grasses. Old Dominion's primary food supplier, Aramark, will provide a variety of food and drink options from a permanent covered serving section on the west end of the fan area.
Since Finwood's arrival in 2012, around 1.7 million has been spent, in mostly private funds, on multiple projects to improve and update the 33-year-old Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. Along with the new deck, some of those projects include:
Paul Keyes Indoor Hitting Facility
Brick walls, batter's eye and back stop net system
New home team bullpen and skills work area
Artificial turf areas, including a turf halo behind home plate, skills area outside the hitting facility and a renovated home bullpen area
Stadium sound system
Outfield padded wall and fencing
Locker room enhancements
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