City council faces options for Toyota Field clubhouse, leans toward four-story addition
The Madison City Council is debating whether to build a new $25 million clubhouse at Toyota Field, the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
b-Sports, Madison, Madison County Record, News, RSS Twitter, Sports, Z - News Main
 By Maria Rakoczy  
Published 8:12 am Tuesday, January 14, 2025

City council faces options for Toyota Field clubhouse, leans toward four-story addition

MADISON – The Madison City Council faces three options for a new clubhouse at Toyota Field that meets Major League Baseball standards. Toyota Field, which opened in 2020, is home to the Minor League Baseball team the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Three options were presented to the city council at a Monday work session for meeting new MLB standards for visitor locker rooms at Toyota Field.

Option 1 proposed converting an existing maintenance facility behind third baseline into the visitor clubhouse. That project would cost $3 million and another $1 million to construct a replacement maintenance facility, totaling $4 million. The project would take 8-10 months to complete and be ready for use by spring of 2026.

Option 2 proposed a one-story clubhouse where the bullpen currently is in the outfield at the cost of $7 million. Option 2 also proposed a removable outfield fence that would make the field suitable for football games and presumably increase revenue. Construction would be completed by spring of 2026.

 Option 3 proposed a four-story clubhouse at the cost of $25 million. The first floor of the clubhouse would be ready by April 2026 and the other three floors by January of 2027. The proposed four-story clubhouse would include seven new suites for group bookings at baseball games, a factor some city council members believe will generate enough revenue to pay for the clubhouse.

“We have to look at this as a business deal,” reasoned councilmember Greg Shaw. “I know option 3 is more expensive but it generates more money, and it pays for itself.”

“To me, building four stories makes the most sense,” he added.

Councilmembers Connie Spears, Teddy Powell, and John Seifert agreed.

“I just feel like we have to bet on our city,” expressed Spears.

Councilmembers Ranae Bartlett, Maura Wroblewski, and Karen Denzine expressed concerns against the four-story option.

“Like each of you, I’ve been watching our sales tax receipts for the last four months. They reflect either flat or negative – same month comparisons from the year before. I’m concerned about inflation. I’m concerned about interest rates and what it costs. I don’t think this is the time go into debt,” stated Bartlett.

The council is already under a contract with an architect for the design of the four-story building, and for demolition and excavation of the site. Demolition is scheduled to take place later this month on Jan. 23. Bids are expected to open in April.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *