GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The City Council of Goodyear, Arizona unanimously voted to approve funding to build a spring training facility for the Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds and Goodyear have until June 30 to enter into a binding Use Agreement that includes a 20-year lease and two five-year team options. The ground breaking for the Reds' portion of the facilities tentatively is scheduled for February 1, 2009.
"We don't anticipate any problems completing the agreement," says reds' former chief operating officer John Allen.
The Reds' current lease at the City of Sarasota Sports Complex in Sarasota expires in October, though the team could remain there through 2011 by exercising three one-year options. The club has trained in Sarasota since 1998.
The plans for the $108 million Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Sports Complex already include the Cleveland Indians, who are scheduled to move there in February 2009. A 38,000-square foot clubhouse will be the centerpiece of the Reds' 46-acre portion of the complex that will include 6 full practice fields and two half fields.
The main ballpark will seat 10,000 fans, including 500 premium box seats, 8,000 fixed seats and space for 2,000 spectators on a grassy berm in the outfield. It will be the centerpiece of Ballpark Village, a $1 billion mixed-use development featuring offices, shops, restaurants, housing, hotels and a conference center.
Goodyear is located 20 minutes west of downtown Phoenix. In 2007, nine Major League teams trained in the greater Phoenix area and three trained in Tucson. In addition to the Indians, next year the Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to move their spring training headquarters to Arizona.
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