Clover Park renovations will not be finished when the New York Mets report for spring training Monday, according to a newly released report, with work now expected to be complete later this month.
The Mets and St. Lucie County are undertaking a $57-million renovation to Clover Park, with the scope of the project including upgrades to the ballpark itself and the adjacent training complex. At one point, the goal was for work at the ballpark to be substantially complete by the time that Mets’ pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 10, with construction work for the entire project wrapping up in June. However, renovations have fallen behind schedule and are 62% complete, according to a December quarterly construction report that was released by the county on Monday.
Under the schedule outlined in that report, work on the ballpark is now expected to wrap up on February 24–two days after the Mets play their spring-training home opener–with the entirety of the project still concluding in June. The Mets have emphasized, however, that many of the amenities intended to enhance the fan and player experiences as part of the renovation will be ready at the beginning of spring training. More from TCPalm:
The county Thursday did not provide updated completion status of the project. Officials could not provide reasons for the delay.
Despite the stadium being two-thirds completed, the Mets say they are “100% confident” the stadium will be ready Monday for pitchers and catchers and Thursday for fans to watch player workouts.
“We are going to be 100% open and ready for spring training,” said Paul Taglieri, Mets executive director of minor league facilities.
“Fans will be able to see the left-field concourse, the new Jim Beam Bourbon Bar, the new restrooms, the new concessions. Everything that will add to the player and fan experience will be 100% ready at the start of spring training.”
The scope of the renovation project has evolved during its planning process. Originally, the Mets and St. Lucie County had mapped out a $55-million project that would be more elaborate in scope, with a new 360-degree concourse among the additions slated for Clover Park. However, when those plans came in over budget, the Mets and county hammered out a modified agreement approved last February that omitted a few features from the original concept, including the 360-degree concourse. The renovations that are now slated for Clover Park include a phased seating replacement, an extension of the left field party area, expanded main entrance, ticket office, and merchandise store; concourse upgrades; new clubhouses; and more.
Clover Park was formerly known as First Data Field, but its name is changing this year following the 2019 acquisition of First Data by Fiserv. In completing this renovation, the Mets and St. Lucie County continue a relationship that has seen the team conduct spring training in Port St. Lucie since 1988, as the organization commits to remaining there through 2042
Comments are closed.