BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004 at 601 Old Coachman Rd. in Clearwater. The Philadelphia Phillies have held spring training in the city since 1947. Photo: MLB.com
The Philadelphia Phillies are seeking approximately $110 million in public funding to renovate their spring training complex in Clearwater.
Pinellas County’s other stadium saga is seemingly nearing a conclusion as the Phillies presented a new term sheet for the long-discussed project to commissioners on Thursday. The team also plans to extend its lease at BayCare Ballpark through 2047, which would mark a century of spring ball in Clearwater.
The upgrades and expansion would cost roughly $205 million, said County Administrator Barry Burton. Commissioners generally supported providing at least $80 million in tourist development tax dollars, generated from a one-cent tax on overnight stays.
Burton said the Phillies would contribute $75 million, “of which $49 million has already been spent” on previous upgrades, and assume cost overruns. There is also a $20 million state grant, which, as multiple commissioners noted, leaves Clearwater to cover the remaining $30 million.
Several commissioners said they would support increasing the tourism funding amount to reduce the burden on Clearwater taxpayers. Local attorney Brian Aungst Jr., speaking on behalf of the Phillies and citing a municipal study, said the revamped ballpark and 20-year lease extension would generate a $1.6 billion economic impact.
“Not one penny is going to the Philadelphia Phillies,” Aungst said. “This is going to the City of Clearwater, for their asset, to renovate and bring it up to date through 2047.”
A rendering of new fan amenities along the left field wall. Image: Screenbrab.
Evolving Costs
BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004. In 2019, the Phillies unsuccessfully requested $40 million from local tourism tax coffers to complete nearly $80 million in upgrades for the 15-year-old stadium.
In 2022, the Phillies proposed transforming the site into a $300 million, year-round player development facility. Ownership updated its plans the following year to include a $250 million mixed-use development after acquiring 13 acres south of the stadium.
Aungst’s father, former Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., said in 2024 that the team shelved the ambitious project due to an ownership change. He expected a new $65 million proposal that focused solely on stadium upgrades.
“I was on board as this escalated up until we got north of $65 million, because then I started looking at the numbers and what’s the breakdown between public and private money,” Commissioner Brian Scott said on Thursday.
“That’s where I’m a little challenged with this, because I always believe that something like this, public dollars should be the last dollars in.”
While the Phillies will provide $25 million in advertising value over the next two decades, Scott said the deal’s public-to-private funding ratio is still 58.4% to 41.6%, respectively. He also noted that the “timing of this isn’t good,” as living costs continue to soar.
“With $5 gallon gas prices and the affordability problems that we’ve been having, it’s just the optics of it are not good,” Scott concluded.
The Philadelphia Phillies have already installed a new video board. However, the proposed project would add new viewing areas. Image: Screengrab.
Sports Tourism
The county has requested an annual marketing contribution of $850,000 from the Phillies, which would increase slightly over time to account for inflation. Philadelphia is the largest market for hotel revenue in Pinellas during spring training, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC) data.
Approximately 380,000 Philadelphia residents visited Pinellas throughout 2025, and 128,00 came during spring training. “That’s why you have thousands of people who get second homes here, who retire here, from that market,” said Aungst Jr.
“The reason we’re here is because the Phillies do travel well,” Burton said. “It is an economic engine – not just for Clearwater, but all of Pinellas County.”
Aungst said the upgrades would boost both the fan and player experience at BayCare Ballpark. Those include:
- - New LED field lighting
- – A larger concourse
- – Enhancement to the west plaza fan entrance
- – Seat replacements
- – A new center field fan deck
- – An expanded Frenchy’s Tiki Bar and revamped concessions
- – New center field restrooms
- – Refreshing suite interiors
- – An expanded team store
- – Diamond dugout restroom upgrades
- – Installing south and west fan elevators
- – Enclosing the 1st Base Club area and suite hallway
- – Updating the grounds crew area
Aungst said an administrative and player development facility would feature a new cafeteria and a baseball “lab.” Renderings also show new training fields and pitching areas.
The county and city must still approve the team’s terms, and the proposal expires before the next spring training season. “I absolutely believe in the Phillies partnership,” Scott said. “It’s just at what level that I’m comfortable with.”
A rendering of new training and administrative facilities. Image: Screengrab.
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More Photos
An aerial rendering of the revamped complex. Image: Screengrab.
An aerial view of the surrounding area, including the plaza acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. Image: Screengrab.
