A first workout for Mets pitchers and catchers on Valentine’s Day portends a sweet spring training season for Treasure Coast baseball fans.
The Mets will play 14 Grapefruit League games at 7,000-seat First Data Field with the last one set for March 24 against the Washington Nationals.
After the season concludes, St. Lucie County and the Mets will undertake a $55 million renovation project at First Data Field and the St. Lucie Sports Complex that was initially planned for last year. The plans were scaled back last summer to eliminate an outfield concourse, among other changes, after an architect’s cost estimates came in $6 million over budget.
Mets and county officials are still discussing the specific details of the project, said county spokesman Erick Gill.
The demolition and construction work will start on the maintenance facilities and practice fields to minimize the impact on the St. Lucie Mets minor league season, which runs from April 4 through Sept. 1.
The biggest addition will be a new, expanded main concourse with an outfield walkway. The concession stands, restrooms, ticket offices and team store will also be renovated, as will the the home and visiting team clubhouses.
The minor league clubhouse will be upgraded.
A new full-size practice field with artificial turf will be built. There will also be new specialty training fields and batting cages. Other additions include a Mets Player Academy complete with a dormitory and cafeteria, and a new field for youth baseball and softball.
St. Lucie County won a $20 million state grant for the stadium renovations and will receive the money in monthly installments of $83,333 for 20 years.
The County Commission also approved borrowing $60 million for the baseball facilities, with $55 million budgeted for the renovations and $5 million allocated to pay off the loan for a past stadium renovation.
The county plans to repay the loan with a combination of the Mets’ $2 million in annual rent payments plus revenue from tourist, sales and parks taxes.
St. Lucie County owns the stadium and sports complex and is responsible their upkeep, even though the facilities are located with the Port St. Lucie city limits.
City police and county sheriff’s deputies team up to provide security and traffic direction on game days, said city spokeswoman Sarah Prohaska.
City engineers also adjust the traffic signal timing along St. Lucie West Boulevard to facilitate the flow of vehicles on game days, Prohaska said.
