TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Five spring training sites received $15
million grants as part of Florida's campaign to keep Major League
Baseball in the Sunshine State.
Getting the matching grants for ballpark improvements Tuesday
were Sarasota (Cincinnati Reds), Bradenton (Pittsburgh Pirates),
Fort Lauderdale (Baltimore Orioles), Charlotte County (Tampa Bay
Devil Rays) and St. Lucie County (New York Mets).
The money from the governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and
Economic Development will be spread out over the next 30 years.
"This is a 'Hallelujah, Amen," Charlotte County Parks and
Recreation Director Laura Kleiss-Hoeft said. "I'm breathing a lot
easier today.
Charlotte plans to complete its contract with a builder for a
$47 million remodeling of Charlotte Sports Park for the Devil Rays.
Construction should begin in July and be completed by summer 2008.
Bradenton can now start work on $18 million in renovations to
McKechnie Field and Pirate City. Sarasota plans to use the money to
entice a private developer to invest in a $54 million project for
the Reds.
Fort Lauderdale Stadium, spring home of the Orioles, and
Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, home of the Mets, also will get
facelifts.
Spring training in Florida generates around $450 million in a
six-week stretch in February and March. Last year, a record 1.6
million fans attended spring training games. Eighteen teams play in
17 locations in Florida.
The Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox have
left Florida in the past decade for better deals in Arizona, and
the Cleveland Indians plan to leave Winter Haven for Phoenix after
the 2008 season.