A final decision on a new Washington Nationals spring-training facility in Kissimmee has been delayed a month by Osceola County commissioners, as local business groups ask for time to review the agreement. The new facility would cost $98 million ($88 million from tourism taxes, $10 million from the state) and be located south of the […]
Tag Archives | spring training
Crane: Astros close to finalizing Palm Beach training site
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane says the team is close to finalizing a deal with Palm Beach Gardens for a new spring-training facility that could open in 2017. The new complex, to be shared with the Toronto Blue Jays (though, we hear, the agreement is not final), would be located within a close drive of […]
Tourism Board approves new Nats spring ballpark
The Osceola County Tourism Board has signed off on a $98-million plan for a new Washington Nationals spring-training facility in Kissimmee, but the proposal is sure to face close scrutiny from the full county Board of Commissioners. The board has a budget: $88 million from the tourism board ($50 million on hand, $38 million to […]
New spring complex pitched for Osceola County
Two new teams could be training in the greater Orlando area by 2015, as Osceola County officials receive a pitch for a new $98-million spring-training complex. It’s no secret the Washington Nationals have been working with HKS on plans for a new complex; it’s also no secret the Nats want to be out of Viera’s […]
Polk County commits $14.6M toward Tiger Town renovations
The first part of funding Tiger Town renovations is set, as the Polk County Board of County Commissioners agree to contribute $14.6 million to the project — less than the requested $17 million, but enough to move things forward. The money will come from a one-cent hike in tourist tax funds. The $37-million plan from […]
Spring-training museum pitched for Mesa
The Mesa Historical Museum is proposing a $17-million Arizona Spring Training Experience, Museum and Community Center, with voters potentially deciding on the project in a November referendum. Funding would be part of $147.5 million bond referendum that also includes public safety department spending and infrastructure improvements. The Mesa Historical Museum has sponsored several spring-training exhibitions […]
Tiger Town renovations scaled back; funding under debate
A renovation plan for Lakeland’s Tiger Town spring-training complex has been scaled back, as city and county officials work to put together a funding plan. The original price tag for renovations to the spring home of the Detroit Tigers, which includes Joker Marchant Stadium, was $50 million, but that number has been trimmed down to […]
Nats call up beer vendor from the minors
Here’s the most unusual promotion from the minors this season: Beer vendor Vince Rainey has been called up from the High Class A Florida State League by the Washington Nationals. The 25-year-old Rainey has been a fixture at Jackie Robinson Ballpark for more than a decade, hawking his wares at Daytona Cubs games after first […]
Nats petition to end Viera spring lease; Osceola County solicits bids for new facility
The potential move of Washington Nationals spring training to Kissimmee progressed on two fronts this week: the team basically gave notice on Space Coast Stadium and Osceola County issued an RFP for a new facility. It’s no secret the Nationals want out of Viera; the team’s lease to train at Space Coast Stadium and the […]
End of the line for Space Coast Stadium?
The inevitable departure of the Washington Nationals and the ballpark’s relatively isolated position could mean the end of Space Coast Stadium, as Brevard County officials struggle with the future of the facility. With the Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) on the hunt for a new Orlando home, there’s the very real […]
Nats, Osceola County talking new spring-training facility?
With the Washington Nationals definitely leaving Viera for spring training, talk is that the team is negotiating with Osceola County for a new facility in Kissimmee. This is not new: we’ve reported in the past that the Nats have met with the county via an initiative from the Kissimmee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to bring […]
Nationals in talks for new spring-training site; will leave Viera
The Washington Nationals will terminate their lease at Space Coast Stadium before the 2017 end date if a deal for a new ballpark elsewhere in Florida can close soon, according to Brevard County officials. Brevard County Commission Chairman Andy Anderson, who has been pushing a plan to keep the Nats training in Viera, confirms he’s […]
Florida spring-training spending could extend to Lakeland
With seven cities now eligible to apply for spring-training grants from the state, Lakeland has more inventive to move forward with a renovation of Tiger Town and Joker Marchant Stadium. Lakeland had already announced a $50-million makeover in conjunction with the Detroit Tigers, addressing both the seating bowl and berm at Joker Marchant Stadium as […]