Doesn’t seem like it’s been almost 20 years since Petco Park opened. But this next year, 2024, it will be.
And this week came the news about the planned 20-millon dollar improvement of Gallagher Square that used to be called the Park at the Park. It will include more room for fans in the area behind the actual ballpark with a lot more amenities. And it will enhance the presence of the statues of former Padres Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman, both of whom led the Padre teams of their day to the World Series.
Right now San Diego Padre fans are more concerned about this year, 2023, and this baseball season, which so far has been disappointing and even shocking that a team that has one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball with some of the best players in baseball is near the bottom of the division.
And as the Union Tribune reported, for the city of San Diego, which owns the land and Petco Park, while the Padres manage the ballpark and they each share the non-baseball revenue, such as concerts and the like, what happens at Petco Park there is a financial concern for the city as well.
And of course, when it comes to revenue for the city and the team, and for our local economy, what would really help is a World Series at Petco Park.
The good news is there is still two-thirds of the season left for the Padres to win enough games to get there and maybe even bring their first ever championship to San Diego in time for next year’s 20th anniversary of Petco Park.
(Photo reporting partner 10News)