Cubs' Spring Training to Stay in Arizona After Voters Approve Stadium Funding

by Marc Lancaster

Filed under: Cubs, Spring Training

The Chicago Cubs have held spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on and off since the 1950s, and residents of the Phoenix suburb obviously want them to stay.

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Prop. 420, which authorizes city funding of up to $99 million to build a new spring training facility for the Cubs. Previous attempts to secure funding from the state of Arizona had failed, leading to discussions that could have seen the Cubs' spring base moved to Naples, Fla.

Given the option, though, voters chose to spend the money to keep the Cactus League's most popular draw in town. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, just over 63 percent of the more than 80,000 votes cast on the measure were in favor of funding a new facility.

"We are very gratified that the citizens of Mesa have voiced their belief in their community and entrusted us with the responsibility of moving forward," Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said in a statement. "These votes will benefit Mesa for many years to come and are integral in our efforts to Build a Better Mesa."

 

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