The Toronto Blue Jays have about four years before deciding the fate of its 35-year relationship with Dunedin.
Team officials recently told a Canadian reporter that they were using the time to look at other locations, citing Dunedin's stadium conditions and its three-and-half mile distance from the clubhouse as reasons for leaving.
The looming expiration has prompted city officials to develop strategies for keeping the team happy to call Dunedin its home.
"There are still approximately four and a half years remaining on the current agreement, and it is advisable to use that time wisely to secure a contract extension," Vince Gizzi, parks and recreation director, wrote in a March 13 memo to Rob DiSpirito, city manager.
They'll be discussing those options during Thursday's commission meeting at City Hall.
Gizzi proposes the following:
- Regular communication and trips to Toronto and Dunedin between both parties.
- Visit and research other Spring Training facilities in Florida.
- Explore funding resources.
- Develop a list of the Blue Jays' facility needs and recommended improvements to Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
- Meet regularly with stakeholders.
- Conduct an economic development study.
- Solicit support from state representatives.
- Create a city "team" for negotiating with the Blue Jays to include the city manager, city attorney, parks and recreation director and finance director.
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Dunedin officials recently discussed planning a trip to Canada to help strengthen ties with the franchise.
The Blue Jays' contract expires on Dec. 31, 2017, but it includes two, five-year extension options.
Gov. Rick Scott is working to provide $5 million a year toward stadium improvements aimed at retaining the Blue Jays and the four other MLB teams whose contracts are set to expire between 2016 and 2017.
Scott's program unveiled in early March will require a 50 percent match from local governments, although it is still in conceptual stages.
Six of Florida's Spring Training teams have been lost to Arizona since 2000; 14 Major League Baseball teams are still in the state.
The public can attend Thursday's meeting at Dunedin City Hall or watch the meeting live beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dunedin TV on Channel 615 for Bright House customers or Channel 15 for Knology and Verizon customers.
Related Coverage:
- Blue Jays Looking to Leave Dunedin?
- Gov. Scott Proposes Funding for Spring Training Stadiums in Florida
[Last updated Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 7:35 p.m.]
If the team seeks an updated stadium elsewhere, the Philadelphia Phillies, who play in Clearwater, would be the only team left in Pinellas County. The Blue Jays' departure also likely would leave a financial void for Dunedin. The state has never studied the economic impact individual facilities have, but statewide, it tops $750 million annually. "If you averaged it out, it would be a $30 to 50 million impact to the community," Gandy said. http://www2.tbo.com/news/travel/2013/mar/13/2/blue-jays-might-leave-dunedin-for-spring-training-ar-657755/
The monies used to keep them here could certainly be used elswere in the city. Just use some common sense, people come here for the weathe,r and if the facility was in Pasco or elsewhere they would still come ot the "Clearwater-Dunedin" area. Look around on game day, there are people here and they do spend money, but we have spend Millions to keep them. How many years does it take to recoup the investment for five weeks a year? How much impact could that same amount of money make all year around in our community.
Would you leave if they left, Dunedin has a lot more to offer than Baseball? If they went to Arizona is that whare you would relocate?