"We open in up in about 42 days. We should be shining and cleaning and all those kind of things, dotting our "I"s and crossing our "T"s. Everything blew up about two weeks ago," says Silver Hawks General Manager Lynn Kachmarik.
The blizzard of 2011 is what "blew up" and it put a stop to just about everything in the area -- including renovations to the Cove.
"So, this week was what we had been looking for. We knew we needed this window. And as you saw, they came in, they plowed the snow and they are probably going to start digging on Monday," says Kachmarik.
Crews will then install a drainage system, and brand new artificial turf. There will also be a new picnic area and lawn section.
Some of the work began despite the blizzard and you can see the progress walking through the stadium. A brand new, open air upper deck, renovated suites and a new score board.
"Obviously, we want more fans to come out here and have a great time. I go out in the community a lot and people say, 'I love going to the game,' this is going to make them love it even more," says Owen Serey, the media relations director.
Construction crews are expected to finish the work by April 4 when the stadium opens for the baseball season -- that is, if mother nature cooperates.
"This is baseball weather, we will take it," says Kachmarik.
The project was initially delayed because of controversy.
At first, the Cove asked for about $10.3 million for renovations. Some Common Council members and people from the community were concerned because they felt that was too much money to be spending on a project like this during these economic times.
Ultimately, the Council approved a scaled back version of the project with a price tag of $7.3 million.
