The City of Edmonton will decline a 2020 option in its lease agreement with the Edmonton Prospects (summer collegiate; Western Canadian Baseball League), and instead seek new 10-year proposals for the facility.
The Prospects are playing at RE/MAX Field on a lease agreement that runs through the 2019 season, and includes a fifth-year option for 2020. Edmonton officials are starting to make plans for the facility beyond this year, as it was revealed recently that the city will not exercise the team’s 2020 option. Instead, the city will proceed down a different path by issuing a request for submissions that solicits proposals for a 10-year lease to the ballpark, commencing in 2020.
Although it creates uncertainty about the team’s status beyond the upcoming season, the city’s decision to decline the 2020 option does not completely shut the door on the Prospects, who could partake in the process by submitting their own proposal for a lease. More from Global News:
Prospects owner Patrick Cassidy sees the move by the city as a double-edged sword. The team suddenly finds itself in the final months of its current lease, but is likely considered to be a front-runner for the new, 10-year deal.
“It’s disappointing on one hand because we had stated we were very interested in exercising that fifth year.
“I guess, on the other hand, the city is interested looking at moving into a long-term situation with somebody. If that somebody is us then I guess it’s a good thing.”
The city has received unsolicited inquiries from other individuals and organizations interested in operating the ballpark, according to the report. That’s why this new lease opportunity has new criteria attached to it that calls for experience in running a ballpark.
Formerly known as Telus Field, RE/MAX Field opened in 1995 as an affiliated Minor League Baseball facility for the Edmonton Trappers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). It has not hosted an affiliated MiLB team since the Trappers moved to Round Rock, TX after the 2004 season, but is currently used for summer-collegiate action by the Prospects.
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