On Wednesday, the Maricopa County Stadium District Board of Directors approved a contract for $3.75 million of additional improvements to Chase Field. The work will take place during the 2017-2018 off-season.
The contract approved by the Board covers steel and concrete repair work.
On January 3, 2017 the Arizona Diamondbacks filed a lawsuit against the Maricopa County Stadium District (MCSD). In the lawsuit, the Diamondbacks alleged that the structural system had not been maintained.
Maricopa County taxpayers contributed $238 million toward the construction of the stadium while the Diamondbacks paid approximately $115 million. The current lease requires the Diamondbacks to play at Chase Field through the 2027 baseball season.
According to the contracts, which were signed by both parties, operation, maintenance, and repairs are the Diamondbacks’ responsibility, unless a repair meets a specific definition of a “capital repair.” If a capital repair is needed, then a special reserve fund can be used. Fan amenities and upgrades to the fan experience (suites, scoreboards, etc.) are the responsibility of the Diamondbacks. Both the Diamondbacks and MCSD have to approve any money spent from the reserve fund.
The District has spent nearly $20 million on capital repairs through March 2017. This includes replacing and waterproofing steel, fixing broken concrete, and rebuilding a structural system called a Dywidag.
The Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies in the National League wild-card game, 11-8.