Phoenix, Brewers Reach Deal Keeping Team In Maryvale For 25 Years

Phoenix hopes that you like the Milwaukee Brewers. The city has reached a deal with them to keep their minor league team playing at Maryvale Park for the next 25 years.

The team has been playing there since the park opened in 1988. They originally signed a 15-year lease and have been renewing on a year-to-year basis ever since.

"Given the age of the stadium and other park infrastructure, and the temporary nature of the existing City agreement with the Brewers, the facilities are in need of renovations," the city wrote in a budget document.

Under the agreement, which is expected to be formally approved by the city council on November 15, the Brewers will pick up most of the tab of the renovation.

The Brewers will invest between $41 million and $63 million and play at Maryvale through 2042.

Phoenix will throw in $2 million per year for the next five years.

The city says that the improvements are expected to include: more shade, wider concourses, modernized concessions, remodeled restrooms and a new kids play area.

The agreement states that the Brewers plan to develop a new retail and ticketing building, a new clubhouse, a new major league practice field that mimics Miller Park (the regular season home of the Brewers), a new parking lot and entry feature as well as new fencing and landscaping throughout.

The Brewers will also take on responsibility for Park operations, maintenance and future capital replacement, all of which are currently the City’s responsibility. They will also have the option of buying the facility when the lease runs out.

The team will also contribute $50,000 each year to the City's Kool kids program, which provides free open swim admission to community youth at City of Phoenix pools.

They will also designate a Learning Lounge at the facility that would be available to Phoenix students. Through a new partnership, Grand Canyon University will provide tutoring, mentoring and other youth educational activities.

Also, community programming that has historically occurred at the Park will continue, such as the annual Light Up the Sky fireworks display around Independence Day..

Photo of Maryvale Park via Morry Gash/AP Photo