News media toured Tropicana Field the day before the City Council votes to approve a $22.5 million roof replacement. ST. PETERSBURG — Workers had to punch holes in never-before-used drains underneath the baseball diamond so that when it rains, the water inside Tropicana Field has somewhere to go.

The St. Petersburg City Council voted 7-1 to approve $22.5 million to begin the repairs at Tropicana Field, which will start with a membrane roof that must be in place before other work can continue. Although the Rays pulled out of a planned $1.3 billion new stadium deal, the city is still contractually obligated to fix the Trop.

The St. Petersburg City Council voted 7-1 to approve $22.5 million to begin the repairs at Tropicana Field, which will start with a membrane roof that must be in place before other work can continue. Although the Rays pulled out of a planned $1.3 billion new stadium deal , the city is still contractually obligated to fix the Trop.