Blue Wahoos Announce Major Clubhouse Enhancements For 2020 Season

The Blue Wahoos are putting a wow factor into their home team clubhouse.
In effort to meet needs of changing times in professional baseball, the team is completing major renovations prior to Opening Day 2020 to the clubhouse and weight room at Blue Wahoos Stadium. When completed, the remodeling will enhance player amenities in a variety of ways and keep the facility well-positioned for the future.
Construction began Monday at Blue Wahoos Stadium on a near quarter-million upgrade to the main clubhouse, coaches' offices, weight room, training room, video office, food preparation area, and the player lounge.
"Facilities have become more and more of an important conversation between Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball," Blue Wahoos team owner Quint Studer said. "We always want to stay ahead. When we built the stadium for our first season in 2012, the stadium was designed based on what everybody knew then, but there have been so many changes.
"Nutrition has become a much bigger aspect. The way weight-training is handled has changed dramatically. Video has become a significant emphasis. Just like any business, facilities have to stay up with the changing industry."
Scheduled completion is April 1, giving enough move-in time before the Blue Wahoos season begins a week later on April 9. It is the first major clubhouse renovation since Blue Wahoos Stadium opened in 2012.  
The Minnesota Twins played an instrumental role in shaping the new-look clubhouse. Dan Starkey, the Twins' senior director for ballpark development and planning, recently visited Pensacola to analyze the space and provide his recommendations for improvements.
"The Minnesota Twins are grateful for the continued investment in Blue Wahoos Stadium," said Dave St. Peter, the Twins president and chief executive officer. "The player development amenities are central to our efforts to help our athletes develop to their fullest potential.
"Moreover, these enhancements only further advance Pensacola's reputation as one of the best all-around markets in minor league baseball."
Several other Twins front office members have also provided assistance in the vision and blueprint development for how the new clubhouse should look and function.
The improved player amenities will be available to Blue Wahoos players as well as numerous local teams and organizations that utilize the ballpark throughout the year, including the University of West Florida football and multiple local high school and youth teams. Blue Wahoos Stadium annually hosts over 150 non-Blue Wahoos community events.
 "We want to be a world-class partner to the Minnesota Twins, to our Blue Wahoos players, and to the numerous local teams, organizations and guests that utilize the clubhouse at Blue Wahoos Stadium each year," said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. "Blue Wahoos Stadium is a community ballpark. The new clubhouse amenities will provide an even better experience to the Blue Wahoos players, UWF football players, and to all of the local high schools, youth leagues, groups and fans that pass through the clubhouse each year."
The construction project is being handled by Bear Construction. The architectural design was provided by Jordan Yee, construction manager for Places for People. Both are Pensacola companies.
During the renovations, the clubhouse itself will be extended by 15 feet. The current players' family waiting area will be transformed into a dual player dining lounge and team meeting space. The current trainers' office will be converted into a high-tech video room for players and coaches to analyze film and a new trainers' office will be constructed in the weight room. All weightlifting and cardio equipment will be replaced with brand new equipment provided by the Minnesota Twins.
In addition, all lockers in the clubhouse and offices will be replaced with high-end, hardwood lockers built by All Wood Lockers and the entire area will be re-carpeted with durable, spike-proof carpeting.
"We brought the Twins administration down from Minnesota and asked "How do you feel we can improve the clubhouse for your players?" Studer said. "They do this for a living and know the needs of the players. They are the ones who provided the initial plans and helped design the new clubhouse.
"They have been great to work with on this project. We wanted their input, their knowledge on how to do this right."
The partnership and Twins' assistance embodies the strong relationship between the two organizations. Having such a partnership is vital, given the current contentious negotiations between Major and Minor League Baseball, as is continuing to improve the Blue Wahoos Stadium experience for players and fans alike.
"We always want to be ahead of the curve," Studer said. "We have a season ticket concierge (JP Stanzell), which is very unusual in minor league baseball. We may be the first team to have a scout host (Kevin Saucier).
"Our ticket share program is very unique. So I think we are always trying to lead the pack and this is one more example of us seeking to stay in front."
Blue Wahoos Stadium has received multiple major awards from different publications for its beauty and the game experience it provides, including being named the Southern League Ballpark of the Year three times, winning Ballpark Digest's "Best Double-A Experience" three times, and taking home Minor League Baseball's "Best View In Double-A" prior to the 2019 season.
"I think just like any other business, you take a look at your facilities and see what you can do to make it better," Studer said. "I think what will really be special to see is the players' and coahces' reactions, especially the ones who played here last year, when they walk into Blue Wahoos Stadium for the first time this season."