Hurricane Ian: One Year Later

30 • HURRICANE IAN: ONE YEAR LATER • 2023 Patrick Obley Sports Editor PORT CHARLOTTE — Perhaps you drive by Charlotte Sports Park every day and wonder if it has been abandoned. Ever since Hurricane Ian ripped through the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, the "Unsightly Scene on El Jobean" has remained rather unkempt, outwardly. The stadium's roof and grandstand – the most visible portions of the complex – have appeared to be in disrepair over the past calendar year. But work has been feverish on the overall footprint, which has been closed to the public ever since the storm. Beyond the main stadium, damage was sustained to every part of the complex, especially the main building, where the Rays' offi ces were destroyed and the clubhouse torn open to the elements. Charlotte County began releasing funds to begin repairs well before any insurance payouts were determined. Since January, the work has picked up pace and the restoration is on pace for the start of 2024 spring training. The Major League clubhouse is near completion. Window fronts and some minor interior repairs are all that remain. The administration building that abuts the stadium's right fi eld boardwalk has had its rooftop HVAC units replaced and the roof replacement is near completion. Like the clubhouse, interior repairs are ongoing. Roof repairs have been completed at the Kids Corner concessions as well as the buildings containing ticket sales and the concessions along the third base side of the concourse. The main tower of the grandstand, containing the team store, suites and the press area were heavily damaged by the storm. The roof has been removed in that area and the dry-in process is ongoing. All interior work has begun, though, and is moving along. The stadium and the practice fi elds all sustained signifi cant damage but have been refurbished and will be ready for play when the Rays arrive. While the Rays have had wandering eyes for the past few years regarding their spring training home and played in Orlando this past spring due to the storm damage, CSP remains the team's long-term home. Tampa Bay quietly exercised a pair of options to extend their relationship with the county prior to the start of 2022 spring training. The contract now extends through 2031. With the team building a new stadium in St. Petersburg, the likelihood that Charlotte County remains a part of the Rays organization well into the 2030s is strong. The interior of Charlotte Sports Park's three-story stadium tower was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28. Photos provided by CHARLOTTE COUNTY A view of the home plate gate from the third floor of Charlotte Sports Park's grandstand after Hurricane Ian. Large sections of the stadium's roof and other debris came crashing down on the stadium's ornamental fencing throughout the grandstand area. Charlotte Sports Park will be ready for 2024 SPRING TRAINING

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