STAMFORD, Conn. and TAMPA, Fla., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Centerplate, Inc. (AMEX:CVP) (TSX: CVP.un) and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays spent the off-season redesigning Tropicana Field to provide an enhanced experience for Devil Rays fans this season. Using the same approach it used with its well-received renovation of the Club Level at INVESCO Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos, and the redesign of the team store at Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers, Centerplate worked with a premier design firm to renovate the stadium at Tropicana Field and created an atmosphere that reflects the history of the Devil Rays, the beauty of the Florida landscape and flavors of local cuisine. Updated seating and concession areas, new menu items and a brand new merchandise store represent Centerplate's novel approach to stadium hospitality and design and are consistent with Centerplate's strategic vision to deliver creative, value-added solutions geared to making each of its venues a special entertainment destination for its customers.
TEAM STORES Centerplate worked with the Devil Rays and redesigned their main team store, creating another touch point where customers can have a special experience at the stadium. Large vertical banners depicting Devil Rays players and a custom-illuminated logo, suspended from the second story ceiling, beckon fans into an exciting venue to browse the offerings. The interior space has been completely transformed with oversized images of favorite Devil Rays players on the walls, and large plasma screens with baseball-related videos creating a unique destination worthy of repeat visits. The store boasts the most comprehensive selection of Devil Rays memorabilia available anywhere, with greater selections of merchandise for women and children.
THE SAND BAR BULLPEN BEACH AREA Working with floridasbeach.com, the local Convention and Visitors Bureau, Centerplate created an innovative Sand Bar Bullpen Beach located on the ground in left field designed with the goal of having it become one of the greatest places in all of Major League Baseball to watch a game. This redesigned party area, behind the visitor's bullpen, allows fans to chat with visiting pitchers while enjoying the look and feel of an upscale beach resort with wood-toned decking, gracious Bahamian-style teak furniture and murals of local beaches. Specialty cocktails such as Margaritas and Mojitos will lend a sophisticated touch and enhance the beach resort appeal.
RIGHT FIELD STREET As part of Tampa Bay's goal to create a special, memorable experience for fans, Centerplate worked with baseball archivists to recreate an area inside the stadium called Right Field Street. This concession area and gallery brings 100 years of baseball history to life -- both nationally and from a local perspective. Inspired by the graphic design of comic books and baseball cards, each concession area tells the story of different eras of key players, teams, and local lore that cannot be seen at any other stadium. There are interactive stations where fans can have their picture inserted in the front page of a newspaper or experience the Science of Baseball in connection with the local Children's Museum.
FIRST BASE AND THIRD BASE CONCESSIONS The concessions on the main concourse were also redesigned. One of the more unique makeovers includes Beers of the World, which has been transformed into an old-world style pub complete with wood paneling. Centerplate's comprehensive approach to hospitality extends to menu items as well. Drawing on the collective talent and creativity of the company's culinary staff and executive chefs, this season Centerplate is introducing new menu items to provide fans with a taste of local cuisine in an exciting atmosphere. Some of the new selections include a filet of grouper sandwich with citrus mayonnaise, whole turkey legs, steak and asiago panini sandwiches, turkey and pesto panini sandwiches and the new "Sting 'em Dog" with spicy chili and shredded cheddar cheese.
Centerplate, Inc., with its principal executive office in Stamford, CT, is a leading provider of food and related services including concessions, catering, and merchandise services in more than 125 sports facilities, convention centers and other entertainment venues throughout the United States and Canada. Centerplate has provided its services to many high profile events including 24 World Series games, 9 U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 10 Super Bowls, 9 NCAA Final Four Men's Basketball Tournaments and 14 World Cup Soccer games. Visit the company online at http://www.centerplate.com/. DATASOURCE: Centerplate, Inc.
CONTACT: Gael Doar, Director of Communications of Centerplate, +1-203-975-5941, Web site: http://www.centerplate.com/
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