CLEVELAND, Ohio –Indians President Mark Shapiro doesn't know exactly how many fans renovated Progressive Field will hold, but he is confident that the renovations will be done on time for the home opener April 10 against Detroit.

"Anytime you're in a cold weather environment there is anxiety," said Shapiro, "but the guys who do this for a living say we're in great shape. We are on schedule right now.

"Even on the worst days, it's been an amazing tribute to the men and women out there working on the project. They've worked through almost every single day."

Shapiro said the only thing that could stall construction with be a severe frost where the ground freezes. Certain elements of the renovations, however, must be completed regardless of the weather.

"Clearly there are things that have to be done, like the bullpens," said Shapiro.

A new side-by-side bullpen area is being built in center field. The concrete was poured for the pen Saturday.

The renovation is taking place mostly in center and right field. Over 7,000 seats have been removed from the upper deck in right center field and along the right field line. They are beating replaced by platforms and social areas where fans can mingle, watch the game and move around.

Progressive Field's seating capacity was listed at 42,404 at the start of last season. Shapiro estimates there will be about a 15 percent reduction in seats. He is not ready to put a number on it.

"We'll wait until we get a clear understanding of what (kind of crowd) we know is going to be in the house," said Shapiro. "We clearly know it's going to be in the high 30s. It's probably not going to be as concrete a number as it was before."

The Indians have finished 30th and 29th in attendance, respectively, in the big leagues the last two years despite winning seasons. While the Tribe has good ratings on TV and radio, people haven't been coming to the ballpark.

"One of the main reasons for the renovations was to create a lot more standing room, a lot more common space," said Shapiro.

Shapiro and the Indians are hoping fans will view the renovations and come to Progressive Field to experience them.

"The point of doing it was to create, particularly in a certain segment of our fan base, a desire to say 'We've always been fans. We've watched the games on TV, but we want to be there to experience this cool space that we want to experience,'" said Shapiro.

"The key for us is to execute it to a level where they don't want to see it just once. We want to exceed expectations on what the experience is with the team on the field and the team in the seats."

Shapiro said he didn't think the team or fans would get a true read on the popularity of the renovations until the weather warmed in June, July and August.

The Indians and Delaware North, the concessionaire at Progressive Field, are privately financing the project. Shapiro told reporters Sunday at TribeFest that no revenue sharing money is being used on the project.

Shapiro, since the project was announced last season, has not put a dollar figure on it.

"We're still making decisions as we go," said Shapiro. "A number isn't a priority for us. People want to know if it's impacting the players' payroll and it's not. "

Shapiro added that Delaware North will not purchase a portion of the team.

"It's not a structure being talked about," said Shapiro. "When we negotiated the extension with them there was a structure to allow for some allotment of partnering with us in the ballpark to enhance the fan experience."