Tempe and Angels reach agreement to continue spring training at Diablo Stadium
Tempe and Angels reach agreement to continue spring training at Diablo Stadium
TEMPE, Ariz. - Angels owner Arte Moreno will attend this afternoon's special
Tempe City Council meeting when the Council is expected to approve an
agreement that provides for a long-term Cactus League relationship with the
club.
Today at 4 p.m. in the Tempe City Council Chambers, 31 E. Fifth Street,
garden level, the Tempe City Council will vote on a memorandum of
understanding between the Angels and Tempe that will pave the way for the
renovation of Tempe Diablo Stadium and a lease agreement for Angels spring
training in Tempe. The City Council will also vote on an intergovernmental
agreement between the City of Tempe, Angels and Arizona Sports and Tourism
Authority (AZSTA) that sets the financial arrangements to fund the
renovation. Council will also conduct the first public hearing for the
20-year lease agreement for Angels spring training at Diablo Stadium with
the second hearing scheduled for Nov. 18.
"This is a great moment in Tempe and Angels history," said Mayor Hugh
Hallman.
"The Tempe community not only remains a viable part of the Cactus League but
retains one of the premier teams in Major League Baseball. This partnership
also promotes our youth and amateur sports in Tempe by allowing us to move
forward in building new sports fields for our parks and recreation programs
at no additional cost to Tempe."
As part of this agreement, Tempe Diablo Stadium will undergo renovation and
new practice fields enable the Angels to relocate their training and minor
league teams to Tempe. Renovation of existing fields includes lighting,
clubhouse and restrooms, a majority of which will be available for Tempe's
youth and amateur sports programs when not used for spring training. The
renovations will make Tempe the home of a state-of-the-art spring training
facility.
The renovations are a joint venture between the Angels organization, the
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and the City of Tempe. The
stadium renovation is a joint venture between the Angels organization, the
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and the City
of Tempe. AZSTA will fund $12 million for stadium and practice field
renovations while Tempe will fund $8 million toward the project. Any costs
over the $20 million will be covered by the Angels organization.
Renovations to the stadium will include improved fan amenities including
additional seats, new scoreboard, new sound system and extended practice
fields. The $12 million contribution from the Arizona Sports and Tourism
Authority is the first significant contribution from AZSTA to the East
Valley.
Arte Moreno, owner of the Angels, has transformed the team into a
world-class organization. Moreno is the only Major League Baseball team
owner who is a full-time Arizona resident. He is a great asset to the Tempe
community and is known as a "fan's owner" for the many changes he enacted at
Angels Stadium. This past year, the Angels drew record home game attendance,
which was the third highest attendance for Major League Baseball in 2004.
Moreno supports Tempe's commitment of sharing revenues to benefit local
charities. Spring training in Tempe benefits local Tempe Charities. Tempe
Diablos revenues for 2004 were $371,000, up 10 percent from 2003. Proceeds
are distributed to local Tempe charities.
According to a Cactus League Baseball Attendee Tracking Survey prepared by
FMR Associates, Inc., the estimated economic impact of Angels Spring
Phoenix Arizona
TEMPE, Ariz. - Angels owner Arte Moreno will attend this afternoon's special
Tempe City Council meeting when the Council is expected to approve an
agreement that provides for a long-term Cactus League relationship with the
club.
Today at 4 p.m. in the Tempe City Council Chambers, 31 E. Fifth Street,
garden level, the Tempe City Council will vote on a memorandum of
understanding between the Angels and Tempe that will pave the way for the
renovation of Tempe Diablo Stadium and a lease agreement for Angels spring
training in Tempe. The City Council will also vote on an intergovernmental
agreement between the City of Tempe, Angels and Arizona Sports and Tourism
Authority (AZSTA) that sets the financial arrangements to fund the
renovation. Council will also conduct the first public hearing for the
20-year lease agreement for Angels spring training at Diablo Stadium with
the second hearing scheduled for Nov. 18.
"This is a great moment in Tempe and Angels history," said Mayor Hugh
Hallman.
"The Tempe community not only remains a viable part of the Cactus League but
retains one of the premier teams in Major League Baseball. This partnership
also promotes our youth and amateur sports in Tempe by allowing us to move
forward in building new sports fields for our parks and recreation programs
at no additional cost to Tempe."
As part of this agreement, Tempe Diablo Stadium will undergo renovation and
new practice fields enable the Angels to relocate their training and minor
league teams to Tempe. Renovation of existing fields includes lighting,
clubhouse and restrooms, a majority of which will be available for Tempe's
youth and amateur sports programs when not used for spring training. The
renovations will make Tempe the home of a state-of-the-art spring training
facility.
The renovations are a joint venture between the Angels organization, the
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and the City of Tempe. The
stadium renovation is a joint venture between the Angels organization, the
Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) and the City
of Tempe. AZSTA will fund $12 million for stadium and practice field
renovations while Tempe will fund $8 million toward the project. Any costs
over the $20 million will be covered by the Angels organization.
Renovations to the stadium will include improved fan amenities including
additional seats, new scoreboard, new sound system and extended practice
fields. The $12 million contribution from the Arizona Sports and Tourism
Authority is the first significant contribution from AZSTA to the East
Valley.
Arte Moreno, owner of the Angels, has transformed the team into a
world-class organization. Moreno is the only Major League Baseball team
owner who is a full-time Arizona resident. He is a great asset to the Tempe
community and is known as a "fan's owner" for the many changes he enacted at
Angels Stadium. This past year, the Angels drew record home game attendance,
which was the third highest attendance for Major League Baseball in 2004.
Moreno supports Tempe's commitment of sharing revenues to benefit local
charities. Spring training in Tempe benefits local Tempe Charities. Tempe
Diablos revenues for 2004 were $371,000, up 10 percent from 2003. Proceeds
are distributed to local Tempe charities.
According to a Cactus League Baseball Attendee Tracking Survey prepared by
FMR Associates, Inc., the estimated economic impact of Angels Spring
Phoenix Arizona
