TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Hsinchu City Government said Monday that construction waste, including rebar, plastic, and concrete blocks, was discovered in the outfield of the Hsinchu Baseball Stadium during excavation work, raising new concerns over the stadium’s renovation quality and player safety, per CNA.

City officials said the non-compliant backfill will be removed and screened to eliminate debris, after which only qualified soil will be used to restore the field. The discovery follows ongoing complaints about poor playing conditions, including drainage problems and uneven surfaces, which have plagued the stadium since it reopened after renovation in 2023.

The excavation is part of an ongoing investigation launched last year into substandard construction and alleged irregularities in the multi-year renovation project. Authorities previously found that one contractor had received illegal benefits and performed substandard work.

As a result, engineers determined that the stadium’s basement required structural reinforcement and that its drainage system needed upgrades, along with the installation of new artificial turf. According to the Public Works Department, all construction waste and foreign materials must be removed from backfill to ensure the outfield meets compaction and drainage standards.

The city said the ongoing stadium improvement project is expected to take 266 days to complete. Major reconstruction work on the foundation will delay the reopening of the stadium until the first half of 2026.

The Public Works Department added that construction progress and inspection results will be released regularly to ensure transparency and public confidence. The goal, it said, is to deliver a stadium that meets both safety and professional playing standards.