“At the end of the day that’s what we want; we want a
premium experience for all the fans, not just the ones in
the premium seats,” Rangers Executive Vice President of
Business Operations Rob Matwick said.
Not only is the seating bowl in a more desirable position
to field level, but 70 percent of the seats are located in
between the foul poles. Matwick also makes the case
that there are seven different “first rows,” allowing for
several fans to have an unobstructed, front-row view.
“I think the way we’ve developed (Globe Life Field),
there are lot of unique experiences for the fans, and
proximity and amenities on all the levels I think fans will
be pleased with,” Matwick said. “Everybody loves to have
those unobstructed views so we can give you that seven
times over and that’s really cool.”
Bringing the Outdoors Indoors
The retractable roof will be the most noticeable
difference at Globe Life Field, providing shade and cooler
temperature. When the Globe Life Field roof is closed,
the average temperature of the indoor facility will be in
the mid-70s, 30 degrees cooler than the hottest peak at
Globe Life Park this season.
“As we sit out here in the 100-plus degree weather, you
just can’t help but think in a little less than two years
we’ll be sitting in an air-conditioned ballpark, which will
be great,” Hill said.
The climate-controlled environment will not take away
from the traditional baseball familiarity Globe Life Park
provides, as Globe Life Field was designed to provide an
outdoor experience, whether the roof is open or closed.
“Openness was certainly the intent. That has been the
big design driver from the beginning,” Matwick said.
The design team visited several different venues with
roof structures, to piece together the best plans in order
to provide a bright and open concept.
“Even if the roof may be closed, it’s going to feel like an
outdoor facility. That was one of the things we strove for
as engineers and architects, was to achieve a feeling of
openness even though you’re inside,” Hill said.
The roof structure will be composed of ETFE, a
transparent material allowing fans to enjoy an outdoor
environment when the roof is closed.
“We have been to a lot of other facilities with roof
structures, and they tend to be a little bit dungeon-like
and dark. So one of the things we stressed with the
architects is to try to achieve a feeling of openness like
you were outdoors. I think they’ve done a good job in
achieving that,” Hill added.
Aside from the roof structure, Globe Life Field will also
have ETFE strategically placed throughout the facility,
for a natural flow of light inside the concourse. There are
strategic openings cut throughout the upper concourse
and suite level to allow light to filter down into the main
concourse.
(Continued on next page.)
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