More than $2 million in upgrades will take place before next season at Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League).
The upgrades, which have been approved by the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board (CIB), will focus on gameday production. Highlighting the renovations is a 35 feet-by-50 feet high definition videoboard, which will take the place of a screen that was first installed in 2003. Two ribbon boards are also a part of the package of improvements, which will also bring about upgraded cameras, video production equipment, and a new sound system.
These changes will come at a total cost of $2.4 million, with the Indians kicking in $400,000. The CIB, meanwhile, is expected to spend up to $2 annually in each of the next three years to provide continual improvements to Victory Field, leaving the door open for more upgrades in the future. More from the Indianapolis Business Journal:
Under the terms of the team’s current lease deal, the Indians pay no rent, but will continue to cover all maintenance, repairs and operational expenses. Under the former 20-year lease deal, the Indians paid $500,000 annually to lease the 14-acre venue and an additional $50,000 annually as part of a ballpark improvement fund.
Indians officials promise the projects won’t be the end of Victory Field improvements. Already, as part of the CIB deal, team officials are considering enhancements to the facility’s suites and stadium seats and a front office expansion. And [general manager Randy] Lewandowski said the team won’t hesitate to invest its own money.
“We’ve always put an emphasis on maintaining Victory Field as a first-class venue,” Lewandowski said. “This is the beginning of the next generation of the ballpark, and these projects [approved Friday by the CIB] are helping launch that.”
Victory Field celebrated its 20th anniversary this season, and the Indians topped all of Minor League Baseball in total attendance. The Indians current agreement for Victory Field runs through until March 2036.