There will be a new look for the Kane County Cougars when they open home play on April 13, and it includes more than just Steve Scarsone replacing Aaron Nieckula as manager.

Fans who haven’t driven past Cherry Lane and Kirk Road since the end of last season will be in for a shock as a $10.5 million renovation changed nearly every aspect of the old Elfstrom Stadium.

“It totally changes the look of the ballpark and the perspective of the ball game,” said Jeff Sedivy, Cougars general manager.

Since the conclusion of the 2008 season a new front office complex, luxury suites and apparel shop have been added to Elfstrom, adding a whole new look to the home turf of one of the most popular teams in all of minor league baseball.

Front office
The old office area at Elfstrom resembled a teachers lounge more than a locale where tomorrow’s future major leaguers meet with Sedivy and other front office staff.

But no more.

A new office building jutting out from behind home plate, while still receiving some finishing touches, has a plethora of office space. Aside from the upper deck, the office area may be the most noticeable difference for fans entering the stadium.

Atrium
Separating the new office area and stairway to the suite level is a windowed atrium. Floor to ceiling windows that face northeast and southwest bathe the area in natural light. The atrium will be the welcoming area for suiteholders on a nightly basis, with a welcoming desk under the stairway as a planned feature.

“Whether it’s a private party, the super suite, one of the rooftop areas or renting some meeting space, you come in (through the atrium),” Sedivy said.

Suite level
The atrium stairway is flanked by a pair of elevators that also offer suite level access. There are 15 luxury suites, two open-air patio decks along the first and third base lines and a sprawling super suite directly behind home plate.

All suites face the field and have sliding glass doors that open to three rows of private seating. The super suite can comfortably host hundreds for games, meetings or private parties throughout the year. A conference room and the rooftop areas are also available beyond just game days.

“(The super suite) is one large room that will be able to hold approximately 200-250 people, and it’s sub-dividable,” Sedivy said. “(You) can divide that up into four smaller rooms, two smaller rooms, one small one and one big one, so there’s a lot of flexibility with the space.”

The outdoor decks offer room for 200 as well as private bathrooms and seating.

Catered menus on the suite level vary widely to suit the party. Menu options are coordinated ahead of time and can include various appetizers, Italian options, fajitas, surf and turf, breakfast items, desserts and traditional ballpark fare.

Concourse level
Fans not watching games from the suite level will still have a vastly different view. What formerly was an open-air concourse is now completely covered by the addition of the suites. The last three rows of the main seating bowl as well as part of the fourth row are covered by the suites.

“We’re basically covered from third base all the way to the end of the seating bowl on the first base side, “ Sedivy said.

A new walk-in souvenir shop that also has access from outside the park is another major addition to the concourse, and is a major upgrade from the free-standing kiosks of the past. Accent lights along the concourse walls provide additional flair.

“The (store) will have more space for traditional displays and air conditioning that we didn’t have before,” Sedivy said.

About the only thing that won’t change is the point of entrance for fans. Gate 3 on the south side of the stadium will still be the main gate, the ticket office and home of will call.

Opening day
Monday, April 13, is the Cougars’ first home game of the season, which could be the first chance the public has to get an intimate look at the new digs.

“It’s all predicated on how quickly we get finished and when we gain occupancy, whether we do some kind of soft opening,” Sedivy said. “More than likely, with the delays we faced in the winter with the hard weather, the cold and the snow, I don’t think we’ll have the luxury of a soft opening, so most likely opening day will be the first time people will get a chance to see what’s going on and what it’s like.”