Petco Park
San Diego, CA

After spending more than three decades at Jack Murphy Stadium, the Padres now have a new state of the art ballpark. With an aging ballpark and having to share it with the San Diego Chargers, the Padres needed a ballpark of there own. By the late 1990's the team began to build up support for a new ballpark. After going to the World Series in 1998, the voters of San Diego approved a bond to allow construction

on ballpark in downtown San Diego. Originally, the 42,445 seat stadium was scheduled to open in 2002. However, in October 2000 funding for the construction of the ballpark ended. Construction was halted for more than a year. In November 2001, the City of San Diego approved a $166 million bond in order for construction to resume. In January 2003, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. purchased the naming rights for $60 million over 22 years, thus the ballpark was named Petco Park.

The San Diego Padres played their first game at Petco Park on April 8, 2004 against the San Francisco Giants. The $411 million ballpark is built of stucco, brick, and steel. Petco Park is a baseball only stadium and has a grass field. Leading up to the entrance of the ballpark, fans pass by a palm court, water walls, and jacaranda trees. Once inside the new ballpark, all fans have an excellent view of the field. All of the 46,000 blue seats are close to the field and are angled toward the pitchers mound. The three tier grandstand extends from the right field foul pole around to homeplate and to the left field foul pole. At the left field foul pole, a San Diego landmark, the Western Metal Supply building is part of the left field wall and foul pole. The Western Metal Supply building houses the team store on the first floor, that has an opening that allows fans into a standing room area in left field. On the second and third floors of the building are party/luxury suites and the fourth floor contains a restaurant. Located on top of the building are 800 bleachers that provide tremendous views of the ballpark. These bleachers can be retracted in order for the area to be turned into a party area for fans. The main scoreboard sits above the seats in left field. Another scoreboard makes up part of the right field fence. Additional seating can be found above the right field wall where there are two levels of seating. Directly behind the centerfield fence is the Padres bullpen and the 'beach' where fans can relax stretching out on the ground watching the game. Directly outside the ballpark behind the the centerfield area is the "Park at the Park." This elevated grass park, is a manicured park that is used for lawn seating. Here fans are able to watch the game for five dollars.

Some seats at Petco Park feature computer technology that allow fans to surf the Internet, check out their favorite players stats, or order food from their seats. Several unique 200 foot towers supporting the grandstand and extending above the main grandstand support the lights for the playing field and housing luxury suites and lounges. A Padres Hall of Fame, 250 seat auditorium, kids entertainment zone, and theater are also located at Petco Park. Fans of all ages and the Padres will more than likely enjoy coming to Petco Park for many years to come.