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A $2.4 million state grant will help renovate Peoples Natural Gas Field to bring the stadium into compliance with new Major League Baseball requirements.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding will be used to renovate the home of the Altoona Curve including overhauls to the home club and visiting club facilities, as well as other team facility and stadium maintenance upgrades.
"Peoples Natural Gas Field ... is one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums anywhere and offers our area great family-friendly entertainment. It is a gem, a community asset and a major economic driver for Blair County and the region," said state Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, in a release. "In recent meetings with Blair County leaders and Altoona Curve management, it became apparent that new MLB requirements were forcing stadium upgrades that posed a major challenge for the county and the team," Ward said.
The minor league baseball facility opened in April 1999 and is modeled after a railroad roundhouse as a nod to the city's historical ties to the industry.
"At a time when Major League Baseball has altered the minor league system, this funding will help keep the Curve here in Altoona," state Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Altoona, said. "The team not only provides sporting entertainment to residents, but also numerous jobs for the proud folks of Blair County."
In other news:
n The Curve announced several additions to their full-time staff on Friday, including several promotions for current staff members. The Curve promoted Michelle Gravert to the position of assistant general manager, becoming the first woman to hold the title in the team's franchise history. Gravert joined the Curve in November of 2015 as the team's director of merchandise where for the last seven years she has overseen retail operations throughout the ballpark. The Curve also promoted Ryan Neely to his role as mascot coordinator. In the Operations Department, the Curve welcomed Mackennon Watson during the 2022 season as head groundskeeper. The Curve also announced Louis Miller as the team's operations assistant for the 2023 campaign as well as Will Lozinak to his role where he will contribute in all areas to the team's operation. Logan Ulmer has joined the sales and service department as a ticket account manager. Altoona also hired Jamie Skipper as the full-time director of concessions, succeeding Glenn McComas.