Project of the Month: Fulcrum Associates partners with New Hampshire Fisher Cats to transform Northeast Delta Dental Stadium

Manchester, NH The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have unveiled one of the biggest, boldest renovation projects in team history. In advance of the 2017 All-Star Season, Northeast Delta Dental Stadium will be transformed into an entertainment destination you’ll need to see to believe. 

Fulcrum Associates was selected as the construction partner for the stadium improvement in late 2016. Since that time the Fulcrum team has been working diligently with the design and ownership team in the planning and pre-construction coordination to ensure the execution of the construction will be completed in advance of the 2017 season opening. 

“We’re thrilled to introduce this project, and I can’t wait for our fans to experience it this season,” Fisher Cats owner Art Solomon said. “We’re providing our guests with a brand new, one-of-a-kind location to relax and enjoy a night at the ballpark and want our fans – old and new – to take in the new sights and sounds this season.”

Construction began earlier this month with construction consisting of structural modifications to allow for the plaza area infill and accommodations for the new tiered seating area. With the new construction, the ballpark entrance will be completely redesigned into a pavilion and plaza, featuring a tiki bar, game area and live music stage. The stage will be equipped with full audio, video and lighting systems for musical performances, speaking engagements, live broadcasts and more. The new tiki bar will be constructed out of laminated bamboo product, “lamboo,” and covered with a synthetic, endureed thatched roofing material, covering a full-service, self-contained modular bar. 

Guests to the park will be greeted with a majestic rock waterfall feature atop the main stairway, designed by Stonemakers of Merrimack, N.H., which leads to the Samuel Adams Bar & Grill. The in-stadium restaurant will fully open its west wall to provide an open-air pathway to the new plaza. 

Below the bar and grill, the left-field seating area, the former picnic area, will be enhanced with four rows of tiered seats and powder coated drink rails. The new seating section, which is available to be reserved for group outings, will have 165 swivel chairs with mesh backs overlooking the playing field. The conversion of the current picnic area to tiered seating will be executed with the use of poured-in-place concrete walls and pre-fabricated geofoam, that will support the new concrete slabs at the tiers. 

“There’s never been a more exciting time for this organization,” said Fisher Cats general manager Jim Flavin. “Our stadium now offers much more than just a ballgame featuring future major leaguers. It’s a destination; a first-class entertainment venue where guests can enjoy live music, cold drinks, and the unbeatable weather of a summer night in New Hampshire.” 

In addition to Fulcrum Associates the Fisher  Cats have partnered with Market Square Architects, an innovative architectural design firm out of Portsmouth, N.H., to create the renovations. 

“Our goal was to create an unforgettable experience for people entering the ballpark,” said Adam Wagner of Market Square Architects. “The plaza and pavilion creates a truly unique area that will make Northeast Delta Dental Stadium one of the premiere entertainment facilities in this region.”

“It’s wonderful to see the Fisher Cats invest in their facility and make it an even more desirable destination for both out of town guests and Queen City residents,” said Manchester mayor Ted Gatsas. “This team has always been a source of pride for our community, and that will continue with this new project. Opening day will certainly be a special occasion this year, as we can enjoy these new enhancements for the first time.” 

Group tickets for the tiered left-field pavilion include food and drinks, and can be reserved for any 2017 game.

Individual tickets for all 2017 games go on sale March 3, including opening weekend (April 6-9), so fans can have the first opportunity to check out the new renovations. Individual tickets are also on sale for three popular dates that fans will love:

• Memorial Day (May 29)

• Star Wars Night (June 10)

• July 3^rd (featuring Atlas Fireworks).

The enhancement project is being implemented by the Fulcrum management team of Gary Manoogian, Daryl Luter, Darrin Standish and onsite superintendent Kirk Oby.

Please visit www.fulcrumnh.com to follow the progress on this project and Fulcrum Associates’ project history.