An artist’s impression of a planned domed ballpark

The Korean dream of having a domed baseball stadium is about to be realized after Seoul City announced a plan to build one in Gocheok-dong, southwestern Seoul.

Its plan to construct a partially domed ballpark in the Guro district has been altered to a fully domed stadium, it announced on Wednesday.

The arena, which is a replacement for the torn-down Dongdaemun Stadium, will have four stories above ground and one below.

The city expects the dome to block noise and light and reduce complaints from the neighbors.

Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) Commissioner Yoo Young-koo and Korea Baseball Association President Kang Seung-kyoo proposed the domed version of the stadium to the city’s Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and the plan was changed after a feasibility study.

``Korean baseball has much improved in recent years. Korea finished second in the World Baseball Classic in March and won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics,’’ a KBO official said. ``However, the facilities are old and in a poor condition. If a domed stadium is built, players can have games in spite of weather conditions.’’

In addition to the baseball ground, the venue will also have a memorial hall, a swimming pool and a fitness center. The ground itself will be equipped with a movable stage and sound system that can be used for concerts or musicals.

The original ground had 20,200 seats with a 53-billion-won budget and was to be completed by September next year.

The altered plan needs 30 to 40 billion won ($22 to 30 million) more and is scheduled to be completed by September 2011. Seoul expects to increase the arena’s capacity after a technical review.

Currently, there are four ways of constructing a dome over the stadium, and the city will decide which method to use after consulting experts.

It will also consider building a larger domed ballpark with more than 30,000 seats in the long term.

The groundbreaking ceremony at the site will be held today.


article date: April 15, 09
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr