Kane Cougars hope to make Upper Deck a hit
GENEVA -- Even though the minor league baseball season has been over for weeks, the Kane County Cougars are hoping that their new Upper Deck facilities will keep Elfstrom Stadium hopping even during the off-season.
Thursday evening, the Cougars hosted a Group Showcase to give area business leaders the opportunity to see their new Upper Deck facilities.
The Upper Deck was completed in time for the 2009 baseball season. Although it was originally expected to be done in 2007, the final product made the delay worth the wait.
"Now we have a product we can show night after night," said Cougars General Manager Jeff Sedivy.
During the off-season, the facilities may be rented out for various events including Christmas parties, breakfast meetings, business meetings and conferences, and even wedding receptions or rehearsal dinners.
Suites in the Upper Deck can be divided up to serve smaller groups of 15 to 25 people. There is private indoor and outdoor space to watch the baseball games and waitress service.
"There really isn't anything we can't do in there," said Sedivy.
The larger suites can hold up to 200 people and include the same services.
In addition, the rooftop party decks on the first- and third-base sides of the fields have become quite popular for groups of 75 people or more.
The entire Upper Deck offers a full liquor license, rather than only serving beer and wine.
In addition to the Upper Deck, the Cougars have also lowered the number for the minimum amount of people that can be served in the picnic areas to 35, and on the outfield deck to 75, to be able to benefit businesses that have had to downsize in the current economy.
"Hopefully that will play into the hands of the businesses that have become smaller," Sedivy explained.
So far, the new facilities at Elfstrom Stadium have been successful, and several events there have already been booked.
For more information on the Upper Deck and other Cougars offerings, call 630-232-8811.
