Lee County in the US, will unveil phase one of the renovations to the Lee County Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium, home to the Minnesota Twins’ spring training and the minor league Fort Myers Miracle.
The renovations designed by the architectural firm Populous are part of a $48.5m upgrade to the complex.
About $27.5m of the total budget will be contributed by Lee County, while $15m will come from the state of Florida, and the remaining $6m will be contributed by the Twins.
Phase one of the project will feature a new residential player development academy, renovations to the minor league clubhouse and administrative areas, a new minor league playing field and an agility field.
The phase will include expanding the seating capacity from 8,000 to 9,300, construction of a new parking lot and the completion of a 360 degree boardwalk and concourse.
Populous said the boardwalk and minor league building will be completed for the first game, while the new practice field, parking lot and player development academy will be finished later this spring.
The player development academy will provide dormitory-style housing for talent and communal spaces, as well as training resources.
Populous principal and project manager Bruce Miller said: "With the opening of phase one, fans will see the impact everything from the boardwalk to the player development academy will have on the overall environment and experience at Lee County Sports Complex."
The second phase of the renovations will include upgraded and expanded concourses, improved concessions, renovations to the restrooms and seating improvements.
Phase two will also feature the expansion of the clubhouse, a new retail store, new spaces for group seating and renovations to the press box.
Manhattan Twins will manage the construction works, which are anticipated to be completed in February 2015.
Manhattan Twins joint venture is a partnership between Manhattan Construction, Chris-Tel Construction and Casey Construction.
Image: The two-phase renovation project is expected to be completed in February 2015. Photo: courtesy of Populous.
