Surprise city officials signed tentative agreements with the two Major League Baseball teams that will allow the city to move forward on plans to build the new sports complex. The facility would include a 10,000-seat stadium, clubhouses, administrative office, storage areas, practice fields and parking.
The deals outline the framework for the use of the city's facilities for the next 20 years. The new baseball facility would rise near Bullard Avenue and Greenway Road.
If the city council approves the deals, construction would by April and the teams would have them to use by June 2002 for their farm clubs and for use by the major league players in spring 2003.
The teams would relocate from their current spring training facilities in Florida. Ten pro baseball teams already train in Arizona.
The deals will also be examined by the Tourism and Sports Authority, a regional authority that would provide $26 million in funding. Valley voters approved in November an increase in taxes on rental cars and hotel beds to help fund a new Arizona Cardinals stadium and to go forward with spring-training facilities.
Surprise would cover the remaining $19 million in construction and development costs.
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