We’re exactly six months away from opening day at Erlanger Park, the new home for the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Last week, I toured the stadium site in Chattanooga’s South Broad District to see how construction is coming along. Here’s how things look now, and what fans can expect in April.
Field, seating, and parking
Right now, the field is still covered in dirt. During our tour, crews were spreading the final layer of dirt and rock before installing the drainage system.
Erlanger Park will offer a lot of seating options for groups and individuals, with a total capacity of 8,032 fans. The best seats will be in the Home Plate Club, Club 400 in center field, and the suites.
Fans can also catch the game from cabanas, field boxes, and half rounds, all of which include full wait service. On the more affordable end, the berm in left field will hold up to 1,000 fans. Pro tip: Watch this virtual tour to get a feel for all the seating options.
Many of the lots around Erlanger Park will be used for parking, with 2,700 spaces available on opening day. As the area continues to develop, plans are in place to build a parking garage nearby.
Food + drinks
The new stadium will have concession stands with all the ballpark classics — hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, and soda. But in my opinion, the best part is the self-checkout option in the park’s market. So if you just want a quick snack, you won’t have to wait in line.
For those wanting something other than typical ballpark food, there will also be a food hall with additional options.
The history
Erlanger Park is being built on the site of the former Wheland Foundry, and developers are working to preserve the area’s history while blending it with modern design. The stadium will incorporate two historic buildings: the Powerhouse (built in 1882) and the Pattern Shop (built in 1936).
More than baseball
Erlanger Park is designed to be more than just a baseball stadium. Developers say it will serve as a year-round venue for concerts, weddings, banquets, and other events.
Most larger events will happen in the 24,000-sqft Pattern Shop or the Powerhouse, which offers 4,000 sqft of indoor space and 3,000 sqft of covered outdoor space.
More than 200 workers are on site six days a week to get the stadium ready for opening day on Tuesday, April 14. The Chattanooga Lookouts will face the Montgomery Biscuits in their first home game.
Want to track the progress? There’s a live construction camera pointed at the field.
