With the Houston Astros likely leaving Osceola County Stadium when the team’s lease ends in 2015, Kissimmee officials are working on a new spring-training complex that could house the ‘Stros and possibly the Washington Nationals.
It’s all speculative and far from final, but Kissimmee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Shelley Maccini reported this week that the city had spoken with several teams about their interest in a new complex. The Astros’ lease at Osceola County Stadium runs through 2015, and it’s pretty inevitable the team’s new owner will want a new home: the ballpark is the smallest in spring training and the complex is in need of upgrades. Also, the Washington Nationals have been open about seeking a new home; the team is being pitched by Lee County to occupy City of Palms Park, the former spring home of the Boston Red Sox. The Astros and Nats already explored one potential joint training complex in the greater Orlando area.
Two sites are being discussed: the Judge Farms property along U.S. Highway 192 and Osceola Heritage Park.
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