The Tampa Bay Rays corroborated the rumors that arose in recent hours by announcing this Tuesday that they have reached out to the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for the construction of a new stadium that is expected to be ready for the start of the 2028 season.
The construction of this new facility will be part of a renovation project of Tropicana Field and an 86-acre area known as the Historic Gas Plant District, the same It will cost $1.3 billion to be borne by the Rays, the city of St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
“I am very excited. This is an important, significant and truly positive event. I also feel the pressure to make sure that we can carry out this vision that has been given to us, especially by the mayor of St. Petersburg, but also by the county commissioners. So, we have a lot of work ahead of us,” said Brian Auld, president of the Tampa Bay team.
Despite all the excitement that this announcement has generated in the city and Rays fans, it must be clarified that The agreement is not yet completely sealed since it still needs to go through the public approval process next month.However, it is the first time the American League organization has reached this point in negotiations for a new stadium.
The current agreement of the Rays for the use of Tropicana Field was signed in 1998 with a duration of 30 yearswhich means that this will continue to be the team’s home until 2027.
That is why, if the new agreement is approved, The construction of the new facility will begin in 2024 and is projected to be completed in 2027. so the team will be able to open its new home in the 2028 Major League season.
“At the end of the day, what The point is to ensure that the team is here making its first pitch in 2028 and is also here doing the same in 2053.“said the majority shareholder of the franchise, Stuart Sternberg.
The Rays’ proposal consists of an approximately 30,000-seat stadium (with a capacity of 35,000 for special events) with a fixed roof, artificial grass, movable walls and a pavilion. The city and county will cover about $600 million of this project and the team will cover the rest.
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