Toyota Field may soon get a new look—here’s what’s up

Reading time: 2 minutes

Toyota Field
Some renovations may come to Toyota Field. (Rocket City Trash Pandas)

Toyota Field opened just five years ago after two years of construction, and has been home to the Rocket City Trash Pandas ever since — as the team has routinely been among the league leaders in attendance.

Now, city officials are working with the team to give Toyota Field a new look. Here’s what we know:

Renovations to Toyota Field

TFS Renderings Page 1
Some exciting new features could come to Toyota Field (Rocket City Trash Pandas)

The renovations come after a mandate by the MLB that requires all minor league teams to have facilities for male and female coaches and umpires. All but two of the current 120 minor league stadiums across the country had to make renovations. One of those is Toyota Field.

The City of Madison is trying to decide whether to simply do the minimum required by MLB — which would cost around $12 million — or use this as an opportunity to make major renovations that could cost more than $30 million.

Here are some talking points regarding the renovations:

  • Both the grounds crew garage conversion and construction of a new grounds crew facility and the one-story building in left field are sunk costs to the City, currently estimated at $10 million – $14 million, when combined with the parking improvements.
  • As the owner of the stadium and per current stadium lease terms, the City of Madison is responsible for the cost of both the stadium improvements and parking improvements.
  • The current proposal calls for the City to issue a bond to cover the additional cost of floors 2-4 and parking improvements.
  • There are currently lodging taxes allocated to the stadium. Those lodging taxes would be used to help pay for both the existing stadium bond and the new stadium bond. Lodging taxes are not currently sufficient to cover both bonds.
  • The current proposal does not contemplate any changes to taxes for residents.
TFS Renderings Page 3
(Rocket City Trash Pandas)

Want to stay in the know about what’s new and happening in and around Huntsville? Follow Hville Blast on FacebookTikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.

Michael Seale
Michael Seale
Articles: 1625