L.P. Frans Stadium is home to the Hickory Crawdads, a High-A Minor League Baseball Team. The stadium needed a major renovation to update existing fan venues and amenities, as well as increase support space for the Crawdads organization. The team owners approached JPR to provide design services for the renovation. As an initial step, a stadium evaluation and Master Plan with recommended improvements and new amenities was developed to assist the City of Hickory and the Hickory Crawdads with prioritizing and budgeting. The Master Plan incorporated features to help address their needs, including outdoor suites, large group areas, a kids’ fun zone with a splash pad and playground, renovated cafe/bar outdoor suites, improved indoor suites, and a 360-degree concourse.
The Master Plan, serving as a blueprint for the long-term vision of the stadium, encouraged the continual improvement of fan amenities, organizational efficiency, and team facilities. The improvements that have been completed to date include:
• Renovated cafe/bar venue
• Renovated and expanded office space
• Outdoor club seating venue
• Picnic zone venue
• Wayfinding and signage package updates
• Outdoor suites
• Replaced stadium seating
• Renovated indoor suites
• Renovated and expanded clubhouse