Avista Stadium is in the final stretch of a $16.8 million renovation project as it approaches Major League Baseball’s hard deadline of Opening Day 2025, says Chris Duff, president of the Spokane Indians Baseball Club.  

Duff says the offseason has been a productive time to complete several projects, putting the team in a good place to meet the MLB-mandated renovations to the facility where the team plays.  

Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the project, Spokane-based ALSC Architects PS designed the improvements to the master plan, and Spokane-based SPVV Landscape Architects redesigned the field. 

“I think this year’s improvements are ones that the fans will notice more," Duff says. “These improvements will not only positively impact the player experience, but it’s going to have a huge impact on the fan experience as well.” 

The last projects on the MLB’s compliance list that were completed this offseason include a full field renovation with new irrigation, drainage, and a leveling of the field, new regulation-size foul poles, and safety netting down both foul lines. Other projects still in progress include an expansion of the home and visitor dugouts, adding padding to the outfield walls, the installation of a new digital video board at left field, and a new strength-and-conditioning building with indoor batting cages.  

Opening Day will be Friday, April 4. MLB will send an architect during the season to verify the improvements have been completed. 

“And then we’ll get the official 'Good job, Spokane. You did it,'” Duff says. 

In 2020, Major League Baseball allowed its contract with Minor League Baseball to expire, paving the way for MLB to negotiate directly with each minor league team. The Spokane Indians, which had recently become a High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, was given a list of improvements to its facilities or face losing the franchise. The club raised funds for the improvements through public and private sources. 

Duff says that after all of MLB’s requirements are met, the club aims to raise funds to renovate the Champions Club—an open-air space behind home plate for ticket holders to gather. The estimated $2 million to $3 million remodel would include expansion of the concession areas and improve the overall operation of the concession facility for ticket holders, he says.