The county will commit 40% of the funds ($14.6 million) from tourist taxes, while the city will pick up 25% ($9 million), and new state subsidies are expected to pick up 35% ($13 million).
But the county acknowledged a difficult question, which the City of Lakeland will also face: how much of a priority should the Tigers' spring training home be with so many other needs?
The Ledger explains:
Yates, a TDC member, said the recommendation to make funding Tigertown the top priority came following a series of subcommittee meetings and discussions by the TDC that also involved the need to move forward applying for state funds and the awareness of what other communities might offer to lure the team away from Lakeland.
I was just there last night. It was a hell hole in the early 90s, now it's a great place to watch a ballgame. I don't know what they're planning on doing with that money though. Maybe facilities upgrades over actual stadium improvements.
ReplyDeleteIt's only fair that public money be wasted in Florida for the Detroit Tigers since public money is going to be wasted in Detroit (just filed for bankruptcy) to give the Red Wings a new home they don't need or deserve.
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