Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: 1 Spring Site Strikes Out
Atlanta Braves eyeing 10,000-capacity stadium in Palm Beach County
SKLYER SWISHER / Ft. LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL
The Atlanta Braves want to build a 10,000-capacity spring training stadium and dorms for younger players, ideally in John Prince Park west of Lake Worth, three team officials told Palm Beach County Administrator Verdenia Baker during a private meeting Friday [this story from April 8th].
Team officials provided statistics showing the economic impact a spring training stadium could provide, but discussions haven’t started on how the [$100 million] stadium could be financed, she said after the roughly one-hour-long meeting at county offices in West Palm Beach.
“They like John Prince Park, but they said they would be interested in looking at other areas,” Baker said. “They like the I-95 corridor.”
The complex would include about 7,500 fixed seats and 3,000 in berm seating [note: another source suggests 8000/2000, plus SRO areas], Baker said, along with six practice fields, a clubhouse and office space.
County commissioners asked the team to present a written proposal on how to finance a stadium. The county recently paid about half of the price tag for a $135 million spring training facility that will be shared by the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.
Ed. note: Meanwhile, on the Gulf coast, ABC7 in Sarasota reported on April 26th that “talks are underway with the Atlanta Braves” in an effort to get them a facility in North Port, FL.
I expect we’ll hear something more definitive by early July at the latest.