Royals say stadium renovations on schedule and within budget

It’s less than two months now until the Royals open their home schedule at Kauffman Stadium. Less than two months until the New York Yankees arrive for their only 2008 visit. Less than two months and, really, the place is a mess.

The $250 million renovation project is in full swing, from the steel girders outlining the new crown scoreboard in center field to the cavernous ditch — picture a drained medieval moat — where once the stadium’s main entrance existed.

Not to worry, it seems.

“We’re very pleased with where we are right now,” assures Bob Rice, the club’s vice president for ballpark operations and development.

Rice and his boss, Kevin Uhlich, the Royals’ senior vice president for business operations, conducted a tour Friday afternoon for reporters that sought to underscore progress in the Kauffman renovation project.

Both contend that, to date, everything is on schedule and within budget.

The Kauffman renovation won’t be finished until midway through the 2009 season. Plans call for roughly 30 percent to be completed this year by opening day with construction continuing through the season.

The initial emphasis is on infrastructure and the new public areas beyond the outfield walls. Most work concerning expansion of the concourses will take place after this season.

“When you come back in ’09,” Uhlich said, “you’re really going to see a big difference. So ’09 will really be the grand reopening.”

Rice said construction is on schedule for five primary projects targeted for completion before the April 8 home opener against the Yankees:

•Construction of the new crown scoreboard. Uhlich said workers should start installing the video panels next week but the distinctive crown top won’t be in place until next season.

•Installation of an out-of-town scoreboard along the left-field wall. The board is 8 feet by 127 feet and is already in place.

•Repositioning of the bullpens, which turn 90 degrees and will now run from the foul line toward center field.

•Adding another row of Crown Club seats behind the plate. The front row is now 2½ feet closer to the plate.

•Removal of one of two circular ramps on each side of the stadium and installing a set a stairs at the end of each wing. The stairs will connect fans in the club and view levels to the field level and, eventually, aid in access to fan amenities beyond the outfield walls.

Rice said all outfield areas will be closed off throughout the coming season because of construction. About 2,500 seats are also being temporarily removed from the corners. Large areas outside the stadium also will be fenced off, and construction will continue on game days until about 3½ hours before first pitch.

“The biggest thing (facing fans),” Rice said, “is we’ve taken permanent concession stands, permanent toilets in the outfield and now have to use some portable facilities — both concessions and restrooms.”