The Lee County Board of County Commissioners, in conjunction with the Boston Red Sox, today unveiled preliminary architectural renderings of the new Red Sox Spring Training complex, a state-of-the-art, single-site facility that is slated to open in 2012. The new Spring Training Ballpark and Player Development Complex design combines several of the most iconic aspects of Fenway Park in Boston with architectural and environmental elements that reflect the unique natural beauty of Southwest Florida.

A number of defining characteristics of the new facility are taken from Fenway Park, the team's 98-year-old home in Boston, including a "Green Monster" in left field that features seating atop the wall and a manual scoreboard; exact replication of Fenway's unique playing field dimensions and irregularity; and locations of the bullpens beyond the outfield wall in right-center field. In the spirit of Yawkey Way in Boston, the street positioned immediately south of the ballpark on the complex grounds will become an extension of the ballpark's concourse and create additional space to enhance the fan experience on game days. This area will have a family-friendly, “street festival” feel featuring entertainment, concessions, and other activities, both pre-game and in-game.

The preliminary design also shows a complex that captures elements that reflect its Southwest Florida location. Environmentally-sustainable features will be incorporated throughout the facility and the considerable landscaping around the complex will extensively utilize vegetation indigenous to the area.

"The design team has responded to both Lee County and the Red Sox with a concept that is true to our area," said Jim Lavender, Lee County Director of Public Works. "The fans and visitors to Southwest Florida are in for a great baseball experience."

The process of designing the new complex has been led by a world class team including Ft Myers-based Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects Inc.; Populous, which has played a role in designing more than 150 collegiate, spring training, minor league, and Major League ballparks; and Boston-based D'Agostino Izzo and Quirk, who has worked extensively on the ongoing improvements at Fenway Park. Lee County and the Red Sox are also part of the design team.

"This is an incredibly exciting step in bringing 'Fenway Park South' to Southwest Florida. These preliminary renderings are the result of tremendous effort on behalf of so many people. It reflects our pledge to replicate many of Fenway’s iconic elements while also creating a facility that respected and reflected the local environment," said Jonathan Gilula, Red Sox Executive Vice President/Business Affairs. "We greatly appreciate the dedication of Lee County leadership and staff, and look forward to continuing to work with them and our world class design team as we move forward and the project continues to be evaluated and refined."

The new complex will provide state-of-the-art training facilities positioned on a single site and intended to be used year-round. It will include a main ballpark with a total capacity in the neighborhood of 11,000 fans (including standing room and berm), six practice fields, and other adjoining facilities that will house both the Major and Minor League operations. The clubhouse will measure approximately 50,000 square feet. There is also a mixed-use development planned for a 20 acre-parcel contiguous to the complex.

The complex also includes grass parking lots that will double as public soccer fields when games are not being played. Lee County will own and manage these grass fields, which will hold approximately 3,325 parked cars. Additional paved parking for the complex will total approximately 500 spaces, in addition to parking on the adjacent development parcels.

The new Spring Training complex will be located on Daniels Parkway approximately two miles east of Interstate 75 and approximately six miles from Southwest Florida International Airport.

Lee County has been the Spring Training home of the Red Sox since 1993. The new lease provides for a 30-year extension from the date the new complex opens.

"Just like Fenway is an iconic ballpark in its own right, the design of the Red Sox' new spring training facility extends the team’s brand as a forward-thinking organization," said David Bower, Populous principal.

For further information please contact
Gina Leo Stingley at Populous (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
 
Email media@populous.com