FAQs

The Atlanta Braves have spent 72 consecutive years in Florida for Spring Training. In 2019, the Braves will begin Spring Training in the team's new state-of-the-art spring training complex in West Villages Florida, a master-planned community in the City of North Port in Sarasota County. The Braves will continue their Florida legacy by committing to a 30-year Facility Operating Agreement in West Villages Florida, with the option to extend the term in two, five-year increments.

The new stadium is the result of collaboration, cooperation and financial contributions from the State of Florida, Sarasota County, the City of North Port, the Atlanta Braves and Mattamy Homes, the developer of West Villages Florida.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A $100 million state-of-the-art spring training complex for the Atlanta Braves, located in West Villages Florida in the City of North Port in Sarasota County in the heart of the Grapefruit League.

• 6,200 fixed seats and 1,000 berm seats
• 360-degree concourse walkway
• Two luxury suites and two larger hospitality areas that may be divided
• Six full and two half practice fields
• Outfield patio and bar area, with other gathering spaces scattered throughout the ballpark
• 55,000-square-foot clubhouse and office building for both major league and minor league operations
• Batting cages and pitching mounds
• Press box for up to 25 people

ATLANTA BRAVES' COMMITMENT

• 30-year Facility Operating Agreement with annual payments to cover the debt of West Villages Improvement District
• Contribute at a minimum the first $18 million in cost of project
• Make an annual capital expenditure contribution toward stadium maintenance
• Operate a year-round medical rehabilitation facility for injured players - this will provide sports medicine opportunities

PROJECT COST/PARTNER COMMITMENTS

• Cost estimate is $100 million (not including land and infrastructure).
• Mattamy Homes: Contribute the land, infrastructure and $4.7 million
• West Villages Improvement District: Oversee construction and development of the complex
• State of Florida: $20 million from Spring Training Retention Fund
• City of North Port: $4.7 million
• Sarasota County: Contribute hotel bed tax (TDT) dollars, about $21,262,000, for the stadium complex. Make an annual capital expenditure from TDT revenue toward stadium maintenance. The county will assume ownership of the stadium upon completion.

STADIUM COMPLEX AVAILABILITY FOR COMMUNITY

The principal purpose of the Atlanta Braves Stadium and Sports Facility is for Major League Baseball Spring Training. The facility will also be used by the Braves throughout the year for additional purposes, including extended spring training games, Gulf Coast League games and instructional league games. Other year-round activities hosted by the Braves may include special events, fantasy camps, concerts, festivals and more.

The campus will also be available for community events. The City of North Port, Sarasota County, West Villages Improvement District and the community will have access to the Public Plaza and multipurpose fields for events such as farmers markets, art shows and other community events when there are not Atlanta Braves events.

The multipurpose grass fields can accommodate soccer, lacrosse and other field sports and will be available throughout the year when not used for overflow parking.

ABOUT WEST VILLAGES FLORIDA

The 15,500 acres that comprise West Villages Florida (www.MyWestVillages.com) are located adjacent to the Tamiami Trail corridor in South Sarasota County between the urban centers of the City of Venice and the City of North Port. The community is being developed by a partnership that includes Mattamy Homes (www.MattamyHomes.com), the largest privately owned home builder in North America, and Vanguard Land (www.VanguardLand.com), one of the region's premier and well-respected land developers. In 2017, West Villages Florida was ranked the fourth-fastest-selling master-planned community in the country.