County Approve Contracts for Ed Smith Sports Complex

Sarasota County Commission Chair Nora Patterson began the discussion to approve contracts and funding for the Ed Smith Sports Complex acknowledging that more than a few people in the community feel some of the funding is excessive.

On the table Tuesday was more than $1 million for the clubhouse, architects and hydrotherapy tubs at Ed Smith.

“We’ve received some email traffic with regard about this being excessive for high paid athletes” Patterson said referring to the hydrotherapy tubs. She emphasized the $31.2 million budget cap for the project was not being surpassed by these projects.

Patterson said while it is not clear how or why the equipment fell to the county’s responsibility, she supports the decision. A majority of the board did as well. The funding passed 4-1 with commissioner Jon Thaxton the lone ‘no’ vote. 

During a presentation about the proposals, county program manager for capital management services, Carolyn Eastwood, said the hydrotherapy equipment was in the design plan that had been previously approved by the BCC. She added that such equipment is standard for all Major League Baseball teams.

“Hydrotherapy [equipment] has been part of the project design plans since the approval in 2010,” Eastwood said. “It’s always been contemplated as part of the project.

“Our total maximum contract is still 31.2 million,” Eastwood added. “We don’t intend to exceed it.” If design and renovation plans for the complex runs over budget at, Eastwood said the Memorandum of Understanding with the Orioles said the team would cover any overages. 

The hydrotherapy equipment has a $200,000 price tag. Renovations and upgrades to the Orioles complex has a $836,748 price tag. 

The proposed contract provides funding for work on the project which was previously requested by the Orioles and which has been substantially completed by the construction manager, staff said.

Patterson and Commissioner Joe Barbetta said what has made this project successful now and what will make it successful in the future are the Baltimore Orioles contributions to Ed Smith. To date, the Orioles have contributed more than $6 million to the project.

The Orioles just finished their first year at the new Ed Smith and second in Sarasota. Staff presented success numbers for attendance this year.

• During 16 home games more than 115,000 people walked through the turnstiles.
• Average attendance was more than 7,000 a game.
• 10 sellouts
• More than 1,000 Baltimore Orioles season ticket holders came from Baltimore to attend games at Ed Smith
• This season set the all-time Sarasota attendance record for spring training. The previous all-time attendance record was when Michael Jordan was playing for the Chicago White Sox after retiring from the Bulls.