After some uncertainty surrounded the team’s future in San Bernardino, the Inland Empire 66ers (High A; California League) have agreed to a lease that runs until 2026.
Faced with a lease that expired at the end of 2016, the 66ers approached the San Bernardino City Council with a proposed extension this summer. One red flag for San Bernardino officials, however, was the maintenance tab for San Manuel Stadium. According to the team, the ballpark is in need for more than $2 million in capital improvements, and the city feared that it could not afford those upgrades.
Last week, the issue was resolved when the 66ers and the city agreed to a new lease. As part of the agreement, the 66ers will become the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino, while the city will make various commitments relating to the upkeep of San Manuel Stadium. More from the San Bernardino Sun:
In a deal approved by the City Council Monday, the city will pay up to $2 million for repairs and maintenance at the stadium, using 2010 bond proceeds, and the team will stay until 2026.
In return, the 66ers agree to pay base rent of $1 per year, as well as $1 per regular season ticket sold after the first 225,000 tickets of every season.
The city will be able to use the stadium for non-baseball purposes on certain days agreed to by both parties, according to the lease agreement.
San Manuel Stadium opened in 1996.
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