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06-14-2005, 04:14 AM
Pray for overcast skies, bring a hat, or sizzle like bacon.
Those are your options at Appalachian Power Park, where even the dollar drafts on Thursdays can't save you from the sun.
Baseball fans will have to endure 80- and 90-degree temperatures until the city begins installing canopies at the ballpark later this month.
City Manager Dave Molgaard said contractors are expected to hang a canopy over the seats behind home plate before June 30.
But that might be the only shady spot in the ballpark for a while unless you offer some big guy a hot dog to stand between you and the sun.
"Likewise, I was hoping a canopy for the third base concourse area would be erected before the end of the month," Molgaard said. "But there are still designer engineer issues being worked out. Those probably will not be completed by June 30, but I'm holding their feet to the fire to get those done as soon as possible."
A third canopy at the Brooks and Lewis street entrance may be in question depending on the city's remaining funds for the ballpark, Molgaard said.
Instead, the city will need to install a canopy between the 601 Morris St. warehouse building and the luxury suites. Molgaard said the fire marshal's office required the city to cover the stairwell area leading from the building to the suites because it's a fire exit. A canopy is currently being designed for that area.
Earlier, the city received $100,000 in state funding from the 2005 Community Partnership Grant to help pay for the new canopies, which weren't included in the original design.
A canopy for the third base concourse area is expected to cost $200,000, while the canopy behind home plate will be $100,000.
In March, Molgaard said most ballparks don't even have canopies. But city officials scrambled to include them in the stadium after hearing complaints from residents.
Temperatures are expected to hit the upper-80s tonight and Tuesday when the West Virginia Power hosts the Lakewood Blue Claws.
Those are your options at Appalachian Power Park, where even the dollar drafts on Thursdays can't save you from the sun.
Baseball fans will have to endure 80- and 90-degree temperatures until the city begins installing canopies at the ballpark later this month.
City Manager Dave Molgaard said contractors are expected to hang a canopy over the seats behind home plate before June 30.
But that might be the only shady spot in the ballpark for a while unless you offer some big guy a hot dog to stand between you and the sun.
"Likewise, I was hoping a canopy for the third base concourse area would be erected before the end of the month," Molgaard said. "But there are still designer engineer issues being worked out. Those probably will not be completed by June 30, but I'm holding their feet to the fire to get those done as soon as possible."
A third canopy at the Brooks and Lewis street entrance may be in question depending on the city's remaining funds for the ballpark, Molgaard said.
Instead, the city will need to install a canopy between the 601 Morris St. warehouse building and the luxury suites. Molgaard said the fire marshal's office required the city to cover the stairwell area leading from the building to the suites because it's a fire exit. A canopy is currently being designed for that area.
Earlier, the city received $100,000 in state funding from the 2005 Community Partnership Grant to help pay for the new canopies, which weren't included in the original design.
A canopy for the third base concourse area is expected to cost $200,000, while the canopy behind home plate will be $100,000.
In March, Molgaard said most ballparks don't even have canopies. But city officials scrambled to include them in the stadium after hearing complaints from residents.
Temperatures are expected to hit the upper-80s tonight and Tuesday when the West Virginia Power hosts the Lakewood Blue Claws.