Grand slam: Daytona Tortugas to call Jackie Robinson Ballpark home for next 20 years

DAYTONA BEACH — In 2019, the Daytona Tortugas were on a hit list of 42 Minor League Baseball teams being considered for relocation or elimination by the end of 2020.

In addition to restructuring, Major League Baseball was also insisting on ballpark improvements to bolster player safety and development.

Local residents and government officials made it clear they were willing to do what it took to keep the Cincinnati Reds affiliate Daytona Tortugas in town, and it worked.

On Wednesday night, Daytona Beach city commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a lease agreement for the Tortugas to use the city-owned Jackie Robinson Ballpark for at least the next 20 years. Two optional five-year lease extensions could make it a 30-year agreement.

Baseball has been played on the City Island diamond since 1914, and the new contract assures spring and summer nights will continue to bring baseball to the riverfront at least through the end of 2043.

But the agreement also comes with a commitment for the city to spend an estimated $17 million on improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark over the next two years, and another $11.6 million in a second phase of upgrades.

The Tortugas will also be writing some big checks, with an initial commitment to pay $63,000 annually to use the historic ballpark, which is located on the northeast corner of Orange Avenue and Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.

Once the first round of improvements to the ballpark are complete, the annual rent will jump up to $103,000. Then beginning in January 2025, the base rent will increase 2% per year, and percentage rent will begin.

Percentage rent will start at 25% of annual net earnings, and after six years rise another 5%.

Jackie Robinson Ballpark getting major overhaul

After government officials at the local, state and federal level all fought to prevent Jackie Robison Ballpark from losing its boys of summer, 2020 became both the year the Tortugas were saved and the 100-year celebration of Minor League Baseball in Daytona Beach.

Now the single-A Florida State League team has a new quest: Transforming its home ballpark with nearly $30 million worth of improvements.

The proposed improvements include upgrades and redesigns that go beyond what's being mandated by Major League Baseball.

Plans call for everything from new hitting and pitching tunnels to a new entry gate and new event space. The Tortugas hope to also eventually add a new children's play area, new lighting, new restrooms, new concession areas and all new bucket seating.

Improvements could also include upgrading and expanding dugouts, a security command center for the ballpark, new locker rooms and fitness areas, and dining facilities.

The $30 million could also be used for things such as secure parking spots for players and staff members, new fencing and netting, and a new team store.

Other changes could include demolition of the existing clubhouse facilities to free up space for expanded community gathering areas, a new multi-purpose civic pavilion and access between all grandstands. The gate could also be pushed back to free up new space for fans to socialize.

There could be multi-purpose meeting space that could be used by a variety of organizations and baseball teams. There could also be a new Jackie Robinson Outdoor Museum Walk incorporating new and existing displays.

Also in the masterplan: more women's restrooms; new ticket booths; expanded walkways for visitors' safety; and plaza expansion. A new player development facility could be built at a higher elevation to minimize flooding on the site located near the Halifax River.

'We have to invest today for tomorrow'

City officials have discussed taking out a loan or applying for grants to cover upgrade bills.

The city could consider applying to a county grant program funded through a voter-approved property tax. The program is called ECHO, an acronym for Environmental, Cultural, Historic and Outdoors.

Since 2000, Volusia ECHO grants have been funding the acquisition, restoration, construction or improvement of projects to be used for environmental, cultural, historical and outdoor recreational purposes.

ECHO offers a $2.5 million grant that requires a $2.5 million match, and the city could secure a second grant for the match.

The city can also apply for historic grants since the ballfield was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

During Wednesday night's meeting, City Commissioner Quanita May said she likes the project, but she suggested the $30 million might be better spent addressing chronic downtown flooding.

May also asked when the city will recoup its $30 million. Deputy City Manager Dru Driscoll said the city isn't expecting a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement.

"The investment is in the community," Driscoll said.

Driscoll has said the Tortugas have a $17.5 million annual impact on Daytona Beach's economy. In 20 years, the ball club's operations and visitor benefits are expected to produce about $1.2 billion in economic impact, according to an analysis the Tortugas had done.

The average Tortugas home game attracts 2,116 fans, which adds up to 140,000 fans per season. About 20% of those fans are from out of town, and they spend about $180 per day on food, lodging, gas, retail items and automotive expenses, according to the economic analysis.

Driscoll said the city wants to use the facility for other things, too, such as concerts.

City Commissioner Paula Reed said it's "a wise investment."

"We have to invest today for tomorrow," she said.

'No-brainer' to hang onto Tortugas

Even if the Tortugas lose their affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds during the course of the 20-year lease, the team will still have to pay Daytona Beach rent. And within three years, Major League Baseball officials would have to find an alternate baseball team to play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Mayor Derrick Henry said Jackie Robinson Ballpark "is probably the single-most historic location in Daytona Beach, along with Mary McLeod Bethune's grave."

On March 17, 1946, Jackie Robinson integrated professional baseball while playing in the Daytona Beach ballpark during a spring training game for the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers' Triple-A farm team. In 1947, Robinson integrated Major League Baseball when he was called up by the Dodgers.

Robinson went on to play in six World Series games, and he later became the first Black vice president of a major corporation.

Daytona Tortugas baseball future: Daytona Tortugas seek $30 million for historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark renovation

The venue was renamed Jackie Robinson Memorial Ballpark in 1990. That year, a commemorative bronze statue of Robinson created by Montreal sculptor Jules LaSalle was dedicated.

The statue is located near the ballpark's entrance, but it's hidden behind a wall. The new design calls for moving it to make it visible from Orange Avenue.

"I think it's a no-brainer to say we want to do the best we can to keep a ball club there," the mayor said.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Tortugas to call Jackie Robinson home for next 20 years