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The 2015 season marks the second to last year the Braves will
call Turner Field home before moving north of Atlanta to a new
ballpark in 2017. The ballpark was originally built for the 1996
Olympics and was converted into a baseball stadium. It replaced
Atlanta Fulton County Stadium, a multipurpose stadium the Braves
shared with the Atlanta Falcons (NFL). During the late 1980s the
Braves began pursuing a new ballpark and the city of Atlanta began to
via for the Summer Olympics. In 1990 the International Olympic Committee
announced that Atlanta would host the 1996 Olympics Games leading
the city and Braves to join forces in building a stadium. The
stadium would first host the Olympics and then be converted to a
baseball only facility. A site just south of Atlanta Fulton County
Stadium, on city owned land was chose to construct the stadium.
Plans for the facility were unveiled in November 1992 and
construction began in July 1993. The ballpark was built and shaped
for the purpose of baseball. The exterior is brick and limestone,
similar to other ballparks. Temporary bleachers were built beyond
the outfield fence to allow for a larger capacity for the Olympics.
After the Olympics ended, the stadium was retro-fitted and converted to
baseball. The columns that supported the bleachers are now posts for
a fence that surrounds Monument Grove plaza.
On April 4, 1997, 50,096 fans watched
the Braves play their first game the state of the art ballpark. The stadium was named
Turner Field after then Braves owner Ted Turner. Upon arriving at
Turner Field, many fans park north of the ballpark, beyond the
outfield stands. Walking toward the ballpark, fans pass over the
former site of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. The base paths and
playing field is marked out in what is now a parking lot, and part
of the retaining wall of Atlanta Fulton County Stadium remains. As
fans approach the ballpark they can see the brick and limestone
walls of Turner Field and the blue seats in the upper deck. There
are many entrances around the ballpark, with most fans entering
through the Grand Entry Plaza. Inside this area includes an
entertainment/concession areas of food and game filled pavilions,
Scouts Alley, and Tooner Field. A 100 foot diameter photograph of
Hank Aaron’s 715th
homerun ball dominates the Plaza side scoreboard. Adjacent to the
plaza is the Braves Hall of Fame and Monument Grove.
Upon entering the
ballpark fans are on the field level. Ramps, stairs, and escalators
throughout Turner Field take fans to the terrace level, the Lexus level
and the upper deck. The field level seating section extends from the
left field foul pole around to home plate and to the right field foul
pole. Additional seating is located in leftfield and in parts of right
field. The Braves bullpen is located between the field pavilion seats in
right field and the opposing team's bullpen beyond the left field foul
pole. Fans can walk the
 entire lower concourse
and
never loose site of the action on the field and can watch pitchers warm
up in the bullpen. The next level up, the Lexus level, extends from
right field to the right field foul pole around to home plate, and down
and around the left field foul pole to the 755 restaurant. Not only is
this the suite area, but is also an area where fans can purchase
individual tickets for games. Perhaps the best part of this level is the
air conditioned concourse. The upper deck extends from right field to
the foul pole and around to home plate and down the third base line.
From the concourse fans can see the surrounding neighborhood and the
Atlanta skyline. The upper level concourse extends from behind the upper
deck down the third base side into left field where the Coca-Cola Sky
Field is located. This area features picnic tables, views of the stadium
and the city of Atlanta, and a 38 foot tall Coke bottle. The 80ft by
72ft high definition video board, added before the 2005 season, is
located above the hitters backdrop in centerfield.
Attractions at Turner
Field include: Turner Beach, that is located on the right field Lexus
Level patio overlooking the field and features a cabana bar, food
concessions, a picnic area, and lounge chairs. Monument Grove is located
in the Grand Plaza Entrance and includes statues of Hank Aaron, Phil
Niekro, Ty Cobb, and many other Braves greats. Trees, park benches, and
a picnic area are also located in this area.
Scouts Alley is located
behind the left field seats and is a location where fans can learn about
scouting. This area also allows fans to test their throwing and hitting
skills. Trivia games and other interactive activities are located here.
The Braves Chop House is an 8,000 square foot dinning restaurant located
above the Braves bullpen, which allows fans to dine during the game. The
Braves Clubhouse Store is located in the plaza area and features a large
selection of Braves merchandise. Fans can sit outside the store and
watch multiple games of baseball games being played around the country
at that time. Prior to the start of the 2005 season, the Braves spent
$15 million in improvements to Turner Field. This included the new high
definition video/scoreboard replacing the old one, ribbon boards were
added along the upper deck and a new restaurant was constructed in
right field. After the 2007 season, 158 seats were added directly behind homeplate that are only 43 feet from the action. These are the most
expensive seats at the ballpark and have access to a 5,000 square foot
lounge adjacent to the Braves clubhouse.
In November 2014 the Atlanta Braves announced plans
to build a
new stadium,
SunTrust Park, in Cobb County, moving there in
2017. The team's 20 year lease ends at Turner Field
after the 2016 season allowing the Braves to move.
Team officials stated Turner Field would require at
least $150 million in infrastructure work, new seats
and other work to remain a viable option for the
Braves. In December 2015 the Atlanta Fulton County
Recreation board announced that Georgia State
purchased the stadium and parking lots. It will be
redevloped as a smaller stadium for the Georgia
State football team and other sports programs.
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