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Construction Set to Begin at Blue Jays Training Complex

Blue Jays Training Center | Dunedin | Baseball

A community meeting will be held in January for residents who live near Dunedin’s Louis A. Vanech Recreation Complex who wish to find out more about the project construction and how it may affect them.

DUNEDIN -Construction is scheduled to begin in February on renovations to the Dunedin Stadium and expansion of the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex into the Louis A. Vanech Recreation Complex.

The construction is part of a November 2017 agreement between the city of Dunedin and the Blue Jays, who agreed to keep their Spring Training and Minor League operations in Dunedin for the next 25 years. The agreement also outlines and provides for the renovations to the stadium and the expansion of the training center into the Vanech Recreation Complex, 3051 Garrison Road.

The details related to the project construction, park amenities and recreational programs at the Player Development Complex are outlined below:

Project Construction:

Construction at the Vanech Recreation Complex is to begin at the end of February after some preliminary field lighting demolition in December. The contractor, Gilbane Building Co., will mobilize onsite mid-February to install perimeter safety fencing and construction trailers. At that time, the Complex will be closed to the public and city staff will begin salvage operations.

The new training complex – the Player Development Complex or PDC – includes baseball and agility fields, a new two-story, approximately 100,000-square-foot training center and outbuildings that include batting tunnels, maintenance structures and irrigation pump house. The entrance to the new PDC will be the existing entrance to the recreation complex.

Construction traffic is expected to travel from Solon Avenue on the south side of the PDC to Garrison Road. Residents can expect construction traffic, occasional dust and associated noise.

One or more temporary road closures may be necessary during construction. The public will receive advanced notice for any non-emergency closures.

Construction is scheduled to take place at the end of February. Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. However, extended or early morning hours may be necessary on occasion to address large concrete placements or to recover days lost to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

City officials apologize in advance for the inconvenience and ask for residents’ understanding during construction. The city, the Toronto Blue Jays and Gilbane said they are committed to being good neighbors and to address residents’ concerns in a timely manner should they arise.

A project website will be established and contact information will be provided for ongoing communication purposes.

Blue Jays Training Center | Dunedin | Baseball

Dog Park(s):

Happy Tails Dog Park was built at Vanech Recreation Complex in November 2003. The dog park will permanently close mid-February.The city and Achieva Credit Union joined together to expand and bring new improvements to the Achieva Paw Park located at 1659 Virginia St. Construction for the Paw Park expansion began November and the park is scheduled to reopen in January.

City parks and recreation staff members are looking for a second location for a future, city-owned dog park.

Playground:

The Vanech playground will be relocated mid-February to the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road.

Softball Fields League:

The adult Softball League program has been discontinued; however, Dunedin softball players have the opportunity to join a league in surrounding cities such Clearwater and Oldsmar. Dunedin Parks & Recreation continues to offer youth softball programs through the Dunedin Little League.

Garrison-Jones Elementary School:

City staff has met with the administrative staff of Garrison-Jones Elementary. The school has communicated to the parents through their monthly newsletter that the student drop-off/pick-up area would no longer be available for use and is constructing a new drop off route.

The city, the Toronto Blue Jays and Gilbane are scheduled to hold a general public community meeting regarding the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex  construction process for residents who live near Louis A. Vanech Recreation Complex who wish to find out more about the project construction and how it may directly affect them. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Dunedin Community Center, 1920 Pinehurst Road.

For information, contact Dunedin Parks & Recreation at (727) 812-4531 or go to DunedinGov.com.

Renderings of the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex courtesy of the city of Dunedin.

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