Glendale City Council recently approved dipping into the general fund for about $836,000 in repairs at its spring training baseball facility.
Some of the repairs include replacing two practice fields, a tarp, padding for seats and mesh to cover bullpens. The city will cover these expenses this fiscal year at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, which is the Cactus League home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. The facility also hosts Arizona Fall League, youth baseball tournaments and themed races.
The money comes from the same source that funds public safety, parks and recreation and other basic services.
Glendale spent a similar amount last year, and is contractually obligated to pay for the repairs, said Tom Duensing, assistant city manager.
“This is a typical pay now or pay later issue,” Duensing said. “If you ignore capital funding on an asset like that, all you’ll have to do is pay significant amounts more in the future.”
Glendale paid to build Camelback Ranch. The state is scheduled to reimburse the city about $60 million, plus interest, starting in 2026, according to city officials.
