Twins look to stay until 2020

Team expected to sign extension today

The Minnesota Twins are expected to commit today to at least 16 more years of spring training at Hammond Stadium.

Twins assistant general manager Bill Smith and team president Dave St. Peter will fly in from Minneapolis to attend a lease-signing ceremony today at the Lee County Sports Complex.

Reached at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport on Monday, Smith said he's excited about the new lease.

"One of the best moves we ever made was moving to Lee County," Smith said. "Because Lee County has great facilities, great weather, great fans and the people in county government have been tremendous."

The lease calls for the Twins to remain in Fort Myers until 2020, with the possibility of two five-year extensions after that.

In return, the team wants a weight-and meeting-room facility, and the county has agreed to build them one for $900,000.

"The public will be able to use the room and Parks and Recreation will be able to use it when the Twins aren't in spring training," said John Yarborough, the director of Lee's Department of Parks and Recreation.

The team also requested a message marquee to display at the stadium. The county has agreed to buy one and install it.

Lee commissioners said the deal with the Twins is good for the county and all five commissioners said Monday that they would vote in favor of the lease.

"Heck yes," said Commissioner Andy Coy. "I vote for the Twins. They have been great partners of ours for years. The relationship with the Twins has been so trusting and peaceful and non-acrimonious. The Twins are great people to work with."

Commissioners John Albion and Ray Judah agreed. "I absolutely support the extension of the lease," Judah said. Commissioner Bob Janes said he also expects to vote in favor of the lease.

"Yes, by all means," said Commissioner Doug St. Cerny. "I wish it was for two 60-year terms."

The Twins signed their first agreement with the county in 1989 and had their first spring training in Fort Myers in 1991, Yarborough said.

The $18 million, 80-acre sports complex with 7,500-seat William H. Hammond Stadium was built for the Twins in 1990. Since 1992, it also has been home to the Class A Florida State League's Fort Myers Miracle.

Besides the stadium, Yarborough said, the Twins have never asked the county for any improvements until now.

"It's a very good facility and we've made sure everything is in good shape," Yarborough said.

Not only is the agreement with the Twins good for baseball fans when spring training begins in March, but the team also beefs up business for the entire county, Yarborough said.

"The Florida Sports Foundation says teams usually bring in $24.5 million a year into the community," he said. "I think for us that number might be a little high, but it definitely has a significant economic impact on Lee County."

The Twins draw about 110,000 fans annually, Yarborough said, and the Red Sox, who hold spring training at City of Palms Stadium downtown, draw about 116,000 fans.