Cool, very cool. That’s how I can best sum up my first impression of Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers. It’s an ideal venue for Class AAA baseball.

The wife and I took in last Friday night’s game against Memphis, and we weren’t disappointed. The only decision I had to make was which route to take from our home near the Crossroads. I had more than a couple of options, but I figured it would be fastest to hop on I-80 just west of the Westroads.

I didn’t time the trip, but I believe the drive to the new park at 128th Street and Hwy. 370 equaled the ones to Rosenblatt Stadium (around 15 minutes). Signs direct drivers off the Interstate and onto the drive into Werner Park. There are plenty of parking lot attendants to help guide cars into the ample parking lots.

Most that night took advantage of the many free spots. Even the closer lots are reasonably priced — $2 and $5 for VIP parking.

The first to greet the fans are the ticket takers. All wore friendly smiles while welcoming everyone to Werner Park. You could feel a difference from the get-go.

Once inside, you immediately get the sense of how wide open the concourse is compared to Rosenblatt. There is plenty of room to roam before taking your seat. The ushers we chatted with were friendly and full of information.

We each grabbed a hot dog and beer then settled into our reserved seats just off to the third-base side of home plate. Talk about being close to the action. Even the top row of the permanent seats offers you a great view of the action.

After the first inning, we decided to take a circle tour of the field. We headed toward the right-field berm seating but first ducked into the club bar connected to the first-base suites. An usher invited us to check out the inside seating and the seats just outside.

While most concession stands offer primarily domestic beer, you can find a specialty brew elsewhere. We discovered one just down the right-field line.

We each ordered a beer we weren’t familiar with and continued the circle tour. There was plenty of room in the grass seating beyond the fence. Well past the left-field wall is a basketball court that drew kids of various ages.

Straight down the third-base line is what’s sure to be one of the park’s most popular spots – the Centris Family Fun Zone. For just $5 a kid can spend the entire game there under close supervision of staff members.

We ran into former UNO athletic director Tom Frette, who praised the Family Fun Zone as a great place for youngsters who aren’t quite old enough to pay attention to the action on the field.

One thing that appears likely is the wind factor. It certainly was blowing last Friday, and a few hits received a big enough boost to either clear the fence or come close to going out. Memphis got a solo homer from Nick Stavinoha in the third, and the Chasers’ Clint Robinson matched that in the bottom half of the inning.

Restrooms are located throughout the stadium at convenient spots, which is good once a couple of beers have been consumed. You can make a pit stop at the end of a half inning and not miss the next pitch.

Friday’s attendance was announced at 4,263, and there was plenty of room for more. The attendance counts those who play in the Family Fun Zone.

The early reviews of Werner Park have been largely positive.

“I really like the new park,” said Omahan Mike Regan. “It’s just the right size for a minor league baseball team. The seating puts the fans much closer to the action compared to Rosenblatt.”

After watching my first game at Werner Park, I say kudos to the Storm Chasers for doing it right. I’m looking forward to more visits – especially on a hot Thirsty Thursday night.