Reds, Goodyear working to move training base to city

Jessica Coomes
The Arizona Republic

Feb. 22, 2008 09:13 AM

A Cincinnati Reds executive sat down with Arizona lawmakers this week as Goodyear works on a financial plan to move the team's spring training to the city.

Goodyear has until the middle of next month to prove it can come up with $32 million to build the team's training facilities. The city has indicated it would ask the state for assistance.

As things stand, the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority does not have money to help. And Arizona faces a $1.15 billion deficit this year.

"I'm willing to snoop around and see if there's anything that can be done, but there's no commitment we can deliver anything," said Rep. John Nelson, R-Litchfield Park, who met with Reds former COO John Allen on Thursday.

The Reds would join the Cleveland Indians in a $75 million ballpark that Goodyear and the authority split the costs for. To build the Reds' additional training facilities, the city would issue bonds, Goodyear Finance Director Larry Lange said.

"I think it's affordable," Mayor Jim Cavanaugh said. "I believe it is, but I don't have conclusive evidence of that. Early indications are, there's reason to be cautiously optimistic right now."

The Reds began searching for a new spring home when Sarasota, Fla., voters rejected paying to fix up the stadium there.

Allen, who is leading the team's search for a spring home, was in Arizona on Thursday and Friday, he said, to build relationships and to reinforce the team's commitment to Arizona in light of Sarasota officials' vote last week to pay for renovations after all.

"Sometimes, people worry that an organization may be playing one city or state off of another, and that's just not the case," he said. "The Reds are committed to this project and have made the decision we want to be in Arizona."

Goodyear and the Reds are negotiating exclusively.