Guardians announce plans for major remodel of home ballpark – The Washington Post

CLEVELAND — Back as a World Series title contender, the Cleveland Guardians are moving forward with upgrades to Progressive Field.The team revealed on Thursday delayed final plans for a “reimagining” of its downtown home, which has aged well since opening in 1994 but is now the 11th oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.The Guardians have earmarked more than $200 million to remodel the upper deck, clubhouses and other areas over the next three years. The funds are part of an overall $435 million renovation project included in a new lease agreement the team signed last year through 2036.The renovations will be done in stages and the Guardians intend to have them done by the 2025 season opener.The ballpark’s new look will not include a sportsbook or space devoted for gambling, which became legal in Ohio on Jan. 1. The Guardians’ next-door neighbors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, opened a sportsbook inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse last week.MLB rules currently prohibit gambling spaces within the confines of a team’s ballpark.“We’re in the process of working through what a retail sports (gaming) option might look like here at Progressive Field as we speak,” said Brian Barren, the club’s president of business operations.On Wednesday, the Guardians
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