Question for the Central Florida hopeful...

[chilly]

I understand that PGE park in Portland was (is?) a baseball stadium converted for soccer. What is the likelihood that Tinker Field could be converted in the same way, possibly as part of the New Citrus Bowl/Arena/Performing Arts center upgrades?

*Note: Before I get flamed out of existence, I tried using the search function to look for any previous Tinker Field threads and couldn't find any. If this has been covered before, please post the link to that discussion.

Thanks!

[WhiteStar Warriors]

That's exactly the same situation in St. Pete their is a spring training stadium for the Tampa Bay DevilRays but they will be moving in 2009 in which the stadium will be vacant...possibly allowing a remodification for a soccer stadium.

Tinker Field is it used for baseball? I once was their for a concert:)

[denver_mugwamp]

I understand that PGE park in Portland was (is?) a baseball stadium converted for soccer. What is the likelihood that Tinker Field could be converted in the same way, possibly as part of the New Citrus Bowl/Arena/Performing Arts center upgrades?

*Note: Before I get flamed out of existence, I tried using the search function to look for any previous Tinker Field threads and couldn't find any. If this has been covered before, please post the link to that discussion.

Thanks!

Chilly, I doubt you'll get flamed too bad over this. There's absolutely no physical reason why Tinker Field couldn't be converted to a pretty decent MLS stadium. But are you aware of an investor group that's willing to put the time and money into making this happen? The expansion fee is $30 million but that's just the start. These things usually come down to money.

[chilly]

Tinker Field is it used for baseball? I once was their for a concert:)

Yes, it's been used for baseball since it was first constructed in the early 20th century, but I don't think there are any current tennants.

[chilly]

...are you aware of an investor group that's willing to put the time and money into making this happen?

I'm afraid not. I imagine that investment money would be the biggest hurdle as it is in many markets.

The enhancements being made to our local sports complexes is what sparked my curiosity. Have there been any instances in which public money has been used to upgrade a facility for soccer?

[Intru]

I'm afraid not. I imagine that investment money would be the biggest hurdle as it is in many markets.

The enhancements being made to our local sports complexes is what sparked my curiosity. Have there been any instances in which public money has been used to upgrade a facility for soccer?

The Islanders did it in the USL, as the stadium use to be a old baseball stadium but since the team disapeard the local government paid for the renovations so the Islanders could play their, same is the case with River Plate PR down in the south of the Island but their stadium was or is a multy porposues stadium that use to be a baseball stadium.

[SoccerPrime]

I am very knowledgable of this potential situation, so hear me out.

Tinker Field, which is located next to the Citrus Bowl football stadium, was placed on the National Historic Landmarks registry 3 years ago so that the City of Orlando could get federal money to rebuild it.

Since then, the City has been quiet on Tinker Field and has even made new plans to use the future-vacated Amway Arena land to build a new baseball stadium. Also, plans are now to sell the extra property at the Citrus Bowl (including the Tinker Field) to developers to bring in commercial activity around the Citrus Bowl.

So while its semi-plausable to rebuild Tinker Field into a soccer stadium, TF's age and current status make the chances slim to none.

[WhiteStar Warriors]

This would be the best place for a soccer stadium.....


http://www.digitalballparks.com/SpringTraining/AlLang1.html

[SoccerPrime]

This would be the best place for a soccer stadium.....


http://www.digitalballparks.com/SpringTraining/AlLang1.html

Whitestar, yes Al Lang has some nice potential, but St Pete is not Orlando. Thats what chilly is asking about.

[saenz]

hope MLS notice that we where 30,000 strong at the U.S. game a couple of months here in tampa.

[SoccerPrime]

They noticed, now we have to hope someone with deep pockets noticed.