By Phil Rogers
The Cubs plan to keep their spring-training operations in Mesa, Ariz., the team confirmed Wednesday. But the continuing marriage between the team and the city is dependent on both action by the Arizona legislature and a November referendum of voters in Mesa.
Cubs president Crane Kenney said he's encouraged by the level of support shown toward the $84 million project but that "especially with the recession today, there is no sure thing.''
The Cubs plan to keep their spring-training operations in Mesa, Ariz., the team confirmed Wednesday. But the continuing marriage between the team and the city is dependent on both action by the Arizona legislature and a November referendum of voters in Mesa.
Cubs president Crane Kenney said he's encouraged by the level of support shown toward the $84 million project but that "especially with the recession today, there is no sure thing.''
Laura
Ricketts, one of the team's owner, took an optimistic view. "The city
council motion [Monday night] was unanimous,'' she said in a conference
call that followed a Wednesday news conference in Mesa. "I think that
bodes well for us.''
The Cubs had seriously considered a move to Naples, Fla. But Kenney said that the team's history in Arizona was a significant factor in entering into the exclusive negotiating period with Mesa.
Kenney said no site has been picked but that a move toward east Mesa is likely. The team is currently in central Mesa, near the downtown and closer to Scottsdale and other Phoenix suburbs. The November election makes it unlikely that a new facility can be built for 2012, which had been the team's target. "There's an outside chance of 2012 but more likely 2013,'' Kenney said.
On the drawing board is a proposal of 100-plus acres including a stadium that would seat as many as 15,000 fans and possibly also include restaurants and other commecial endeavors that would allow it be called "Wrigleyville West.''
"That is something that is a secondary consideration,'' Laura Ricketts said. "What is going to push us is the best situation for the team.''
The Cubs had seriously considered a move to Naples, Fla. But Kenney said that the team's history in Arizona was a significant factor in entering into the exclusive negotiating period with Mesa.
Kenney said no site has been picked but that a move toward east Mesa is likely. The team is currently in central Mesa, near the downtown and closer to Scottsdale and other Phoenix suburbs. The November election makes it unlikely that a new facility can be built for 2012, which had been the team's target. "There's an outside chance of 2012 but more likely 2013,'' Kenney said.
On the drawing board is a proposal of 100-plus acres including a stadium that would seat as many as 15,000 fans and possibly also include restaurants and other commecial endeavors that would allow it be called "Wrigleyville West.''
"That is something that is a secondary consideration,'' Laura Ricketts said. "What is going to push us is the best situation for the team.''
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Did it ever dawn on anybody in the Cubs orginization that after decades of training in Mesa and Arizona, which in turn has gone along with decades of losing and more losing, that a move to Florida might have been the Karma needed to turn things to the positive side. The attitude of "so what if we lose, we still draw over 3 million to the stands has got to stop with this new owner.