Significant Increase in Safety Management Personnel, Shuttle Bus Service
Additional Parking Spaces Secured, Home Game Celebration Events, and More
Changwon Special City in South Gyeongsang Province is making every effort to support the NC Dinos, including ensuring the safety of spectators, improving access to the baseball stadium, and securing additional parking spaces, as the NC Dinos' home games will resume on May 30.
The city is prioritizing safety by significantly increasing the number of safety management personnel, deploying city and facility corporation staff, as a large crowd is expected for this home game, which will be held for the first time in over two months since the structural collapse accident at Changwon NC Park Masan Stadium.
Additionally, the city has produced its own safety-related videos, which will be played frequently on the stadium's electronic display boards, and safety announcements will be made at every game to raise spectators' awareness of safety.
In particular, efforts are being made to improve accessibility so that baseball fans and citizens can conveniently visit the stadium.
For visiting fans from outside the city, a temporary shuttle bus will operate from the stadium to Masan Station using city tour buses, starting from the home game on May 30. The shuttle bus will depart from the stadium at 9:10 p.m. for night games held after 6:00 p.m., taking into account the last KTX train departure time. Due to election laws, the shuttle will operate as a paid service (1,500 KRW).
As a fundamental solution, the city has requested that the last KTX train departing from Masan Station, currently scheduled for 9:43 p.m., be rescheduled to depart after 10:00 p.m. In June, a dedicated city bus route connecting the stadium, Masan Station, and the intercity bus terminal will also be introduced.
The city has also worked to secure additional parking spaces, which have been insufficient compared to the stadium's capacity. By utilizing underused facilities (the X-Game Park) within the stadium, 80 additional parking spaces have been made available and will be ready for immediate use starting with this home game.
In addition, Masan Baseball Stadium, which is used as a secondary stadium, will be improved to enhance player performance and increase utilization, based on feedback from the NC Dinos and citizens.
Various events will also be held to celebrate the resumption of home games and promote baseball.
Baseball ticket holders will be able to receive a 10% discount at restaurants located in Sanho-dong, Eosijang, and Changdong for three days starting May 30. Masan Robot Land will offer a 50% discount on unlimited ride passes through June. In addition, a prize drawing for free Masan Robot Land passes will be held inside the stadium.
The city has also begun developing tourism products linked to local sports to ensure this event is not a one-time occurrence, and is reviewing a plan to provide gift certificate refunds to help revitalize the local economy. In particular, in June, the city plans to hold a baseball game viewing day for all Changwon city employees to take the lead in creating a baseball boom.
Jang Geumyong, Acting Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, "Having a professional sports team in the region is a tremendous benefit for both our city and our citizens," and added, "We will spare no effort to provide a safe and reliable stadium, as well as to improve accessibility and facilities, so that both the region and the club can achieve a win-win outcome."
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