MADISON, Ala. — Toyota Field may be seeing some mandatory, and some not-so mandatory upgrades come to their ballpark soon.
Seven million dollars are needed to meet MLB guidelines posted for minor league facilities across the U.S., which includes upgrades to clubhouse spaces and training facilities, along with creating a space for female locker rooms.
The team is looking at another multi-million-dollar project: a 4-story VIP Clubhouse in left field. This would require an estimated $22.5 million. Residents Kevin Fitzpatrick and Tyler Freeney say those funds could be spent elsewhere, like bringing upgrades to the city's public parks.
"I think we're allocating way too much just to [the] Trash pandas, like, we need to split that up some," said Fitzpatrick. "We've already put so many millions into that ball stadium, like tons."
"Why are we investing in people who already get paid to play instead of our future, which is the sports complex and the kids?" said Freeney.
Both of these parents have kids who travel for sports across the state. They say Dublin and Palmer parks in Madison come nowhere close to the other facilities in the Yellowhammer State.
"When you look around and see are the sports complexes for our kids who are supposed to be our future generations, when you look around the state, they are not up to par," said Freeney.
"All these other fields that we go to in the parks that are very up-to-date and nice," said Fitzpatrick.
They say more focus can and should be placed on the smaller fields, where dreams are born.
"Some more money needs to be spent for the kids in the parks around here," said Freeney.
Madison City Council will be meeting in a special session December 4th to vote on a potential agreement.
Madison Resident Kevin Fitzpatrick also shared the following statement with FOX54News:
"Madison has already invested millions in building Toyota Field, and I understand the new MLB regulations. However, our local sports complexes for kids are suffering and desperately need funding for updates and improvements. Our children participate in travel soccer, and when we travel to other cities like Decatur or throughout Birmingham, we see their modern, well-maintained sports complexes. It makes me wonder where Madison is going wrong. With our exemplary school system, we should be providing the same quality for our kids' sports facilities. Our children deserve better sports complexes."