Dodgers plan $500 million stadium facelift

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled plans on Thursday for a $500 million renovation of Dodger Stadium to be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of the venue in 2012.

The project, aimed at keeping the team at the fourth oldest ballpark in the major leagues for at least 50 more years, includes a new grand entrance, a plaza behind center field, a museum and a promenade of shops and restaurants.

Team owner Frank McCourt said the project, which begins in late 2009, would be privately financed by his family who purchased the Dodgers, the stadium and surrounding car park for $430 million in 2004.

"We're creating a new stadium without tearing down the old," McCourt told a news conference.

Veteran Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully added: "We will not allow this great home to crumble. We will not allow it to be replaced."

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the stadium opened in 1962 after the Dodgers moved from their original Brooklyn roots.

When Yankee Stadium, home of the Dodgers's old New York nemesis, is torn down as planned after the 2008 season, the Los Angeles team will be playing in the third oldest venue in the major leagues.

The team has already played longer at Dodger Stadium than it did at Ebbets Field, the club's home for 45 seasons ending in 1957.

'VISIONARY' PLANS

The new plans were supported by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other civic leaders.

Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who also attended the conference, hailed McCourt and his plans as "visionary".

The stadium upgrade will not expand the seating capacity of 56,000 while the number of parking spaces will remain at about 20,000.

The project's lead architect, Scott Johnson, said the $500 million price tag was comparable to the likely cost of building a brand new stadium.

The Washington Nationals's new stadium, which opened last month, cost $611 million to build and was publicly financed.

The centerpiece of the Dodgers project is a new tree-lined entrance leading to a plaza where fans can gather beyond center field.

The plaza in turn will connect to a promenade featuring shops and a new museum.

The outside perimeter of the stadium will be transformed into a 'Green Necklace' of landscaped walkways linked to the plaza, promenade and 'Top of the Park' deck featuring sweeping views of the city skyline and nearby mountains.

McCourt said the idea was to turn Dodger Stadium into a year-round destination for fans and tourists and urged municipal leaders to improve public transport to and from the ballpark.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)