Deltaville Ballpark Renovation

The most immediate need was the replacement and reconstruction of the roof. With original timbers nearly three quarters of a century of exposure to the elements, the canopy over the grandstand was judged by contractors to be on the verge of becoming structurally unsound.

Construction methods have changed a lot over seven decades, but our team and contractor worked with a local sawmill to have custom produce rough-sawn timbers to match the original aesthetic of ballpark, and built the new canopy in such a way that it nearly identically resembled the original roof.

To compliment the replacement, volunteers worked to do a complete repaint of the entire park, giving the old wooden grandstand a completely renewed look. Coupled with the reconstructed roof, the ballpark had a new life to it once again.

The Ballpark was built long before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, and its construction gave no consideration to those whose mobility presented challenges. Added to the fact that Deltaville is a community with a large number of retirees, making the ballpark more accessible to those whose lives are made easier by ADA accommodations was a top priority.

It was identified that the seldom used 1st Base entrance would be a suitable location to bring a handicap ramp into the grandstand. In order to achieve the necessary length of ramp for the height needed, the ramp would need to run behind home plate. Only 18" separated the concession from the grandstand, necessitating the existing antiquated concession to be demolished.

Two rows of seating were removed immediately adjacent to the ramp inside the stands to provide for a spacious flat area for those in wheelchairs to enjoy the game. And with the needed reconstruction of the concession stand, another goal was achieved in obtaining a modernized kitchen area, complete with all the modern necessities, such as hot water (the old concession stand didn't even have that!)

Finally, it was apparent from the beginning that the enlarged concession and planned phase 3 bathrooms would exceed the boundaries of the existing chain link fence surrounding the ballpark. With a desire to make the area enclosed by the fence around the grandstand a more enjoyable place to gather, a new metal fence was installed whose style matched the quality and aesthetic of the ballpark.

Originally installed around 1950, Deltaville Ballpark's field lighting system has not only stood the test of time, but its glow has served as a beacon of activity for the Deltaville Community. "No matter what time of year it is, if the lights turn on, at least one or two cars turn into the ballpark in hopes there may be a practice or game to watch!"

The original incandescent lights were mostly replaced with metal-halide fixtures in the early 1980's, the modern standard at the time. Now, those fixtures are in excess of 40 years old, and the system as a whole in in excess of 70 years of age. Professional electrical engineers performing maintenance advised the ballpark that the existing system is beyond its functional life.

Deltaville Ballpark consulted with multiple lighting companies, and identified a modern solution that fits the modern needs for the ballpark's use. LED light fixtures - with produce more light for the field while consuming a fraction of the electricity of the existing system. 

Selecting the proper light fixture has been an important task. Most modern LED sports lights are modern looking LED panels, and often are square or rectangular in shape. As with all of the renovations of Deltaville Ballpark, retaining the iconic look of the ballpark is paramount; as such, LED lighting options have been identified that emulate the physical appearance of the original lights, while providing brighter, safer, and more controllable light for ballpark events.