Madison, WI – March 11, 2010. A proposal from the Madison Mallards to reduce capacity at the Duck Pond at Warner Park was accepted at tonight\u2019s Board of Park Commissioners meeting.\u00a0 Starting in 2010 stadium capacity will be limited to 6,750, a 10% reduction from the current capacity of 7,500 that has been in place since August 2004.\u00a0 The decision to reduce capacity is based on the following factors:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Improving Fan experience \u2013 There are currently less than 6,000 fixed seats in the stadium, which means that during sold out games over 1,600 fans are relegated to \u201cstanding room only\u201d areas that are spread throughout the ballpark.\u00a0 The capacity reduction will not change available fixed seating, but will reduce standing room only in the stadium to approximately 950. Furthermore, the capacity reduction will also improve lines at concessions stands, restrooms, etc. and ease access to other stadium facilities.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Parking availability and neighborhood impact \u2013 Over the past several years during games with capacity crowds there has been a shortage of easily accessible parking for fans. This reduction will put the capacity more in line with accessible parking for fans.\u00a0 Fans will continue to have access to a limited amount of overflow parking at the Northside TownCenter across Sherman Avenue from the ballpark.\u00a0 Finally, when the Mallards draw capacity crowds there is a substantial increase in traffic in the area surrounding the ballpark and the reduction will result in a safer, less congested environment for both fans and neighbors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited that our proposal to reduce capacity was approved,\u201d Mallards President Vern Stenman said. \u201cThis adjustment will improve the fan experience at the Duck Pond in addition to reducing the impact of Mallards games on the surrounding community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the City of Madison Park Commission meeting on Wednesday night, Parks Superintendent Kevin Briski said, \u201cWe feel the Mallards proposal will have a positive impact on Warner Park and the surrounding community and we are pleased with the result of our ongoing conversations on this topic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Points of interest regarding Mallards attendance:
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On June 12, 2004 the Mallards set a city of Madison and summer collegiate baseball record with a crowd of 10,061 fans.\u00a0 This crowd sparked discussion about the capacity of the Duck Pond at Warner Park.\u00a0 Initially capacity was limited to 5,000 fans. However, by August 2004 the Mallards made adjustments to the ballpark to allow capacity to increase to 7,500.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Since 2004 the Mallards have drawn 54 crowds of 6,750 or more.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2009 the Mallards had 8 crowds of 6,750 or more.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In 2009 the Mallards averaged 6,005 fans per game, which marked the 4th consecutive year the team drew over 6,000 fans a night.
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The team has led all of summer collegiate baseball in attendance every year since 2003.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Madison, WI – March 11, 2010. A proposal from the Madison Mallards to reduce capacity at the Duck Pond at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archived-news"],"yoast_head":"\n