Whitecaps prepare for home opener amid expansion

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The West Michigan Whitecaps are just one week away from the start of the season.

Crowds will see construction work underway during the home opener a few days later on April 9.

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LMCU Ballpark is undergoing an expansion of approximately 30,000 square feet, according to Steve McCarthy, the president of the team.

“Of course, the groundskeeper is really busy working on the field. Our concessions and operations folks are getting the ballpark ready for fans,” McCarthy said. “It’s a long-anticipated date.”

McCarthy says there is some additional work this year managing the expansion project during the season.

“We’re on track. It will be completed in September of this year, so just at the end of the season,” he said. “And that includes the new home clubhouse, batting tunnel, weight room and suite club up on the suite level.”

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Workers are busy setting up the newly renovated locker rooms, which will eventually become the permanent space for the away teams.

“The new home clubhouse will be ready in July. And so the home team, the Whitecaps, will trade over to the third base side and the visiting team will take over on the first base side,” McCarthy said. “And so it’s going to be a big upgrade really for both teams.”

Underneath the new expansion will be the operations space, which will include the brand new locker room, an equipment area and offices for the coaches.

“We put a lot of care into making sure that both the home and the visiting teams feel like this is a great place to play,” McCarthy said.

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With a view out to the concourse will be a new hospitality area, next to two batting tunnels and the new weight room. An additional event space with an expanded kitchen and bar will sit above on the suite level.

The upgrades will make sure the ballpark complies with new facilities standards for minor league teams from Major League Baseball.

“This has always been a great facility since day one, 30 years ago. Making sure that we stay modern and then planning for the future is really important to us,” McCarthy said.

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Plans are already in place for the second part of the project, which will make the field similar to the ones players will use if they are called up to the majors.

“Right here after this season, we’ll also commence on phase two, which includes the playing field and the new group hospitality terraces on the first- and third-base side,” McCarthy said.

For more information on the schedule and tickets, visit the West Michigan Whitecaps website.

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