Mets' spring training home renovations should be done for pitchers and catchers

First Data Field undergoing facelift before Mets show up

12/17/2019, 1:58 AM
Feb 26, 2019; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; A general view as New York Mets designated hitter Brandon Nimmo (9) bats against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of the spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports / Jasen Vinlove
Feb 26, 2019; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; A general view as New York Mets designated hitter Brandon Nimmo (9) bats against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of the spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports / Jasen Vinlove

There's still plenty of time to go, but renovations to First Data Field, the spring training home of the New York Mets, are going to cut it close this offseason. 

A $57 million renovation project to the Port St. Lucie facility has an updated completion date of Feb. 10, according to a report in the Treasure Coast Palm

That's the same date pitchers and catchers report for 2020 spring training.

According to the report, records show that as of October, construction on the stadium was only 42 percent complete at the time. Updated November records were not available. 

Improvements to the facility include replacing the seats in the 7,100 capacity building, new entrances, locker room upgrades, restroom and concourse improvements, amongst others.

St. Lucie County owns the stadium and in 2016 reached an agreement with the Mets to keep spring training at the location until 2042. 

While the report indicates that the field will be playable by Feb. 10, final upgrades will be completed by June 3. Opening day for games at the field is Feb. 22. 

The Mets also issued a statement which assured things will be fine by Feb. 10.  

"Feb. 10 is our substantial completion date," the statement said via the TC Palm. "Pitchers and catchers along with staff will be reporting to camp to begin training on that date. Barton Malow (the contractor) is working extremely hard to complete this project and we are looking forward to opening day on Feb. 22."

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