SPORTS
the largest tourism market for Florida and the second largest
market in the U.S.,” St. Lucie County Administrator Howard
Tipton says. “Their time at Tradition Field has been a catalyst
for development in St. Lucie West and helped keep a light
shined not only on Port St. Lucie as Florida’s ninth largest
city, but also the Treasure Coast.”
The MLB study came to several conclusions that hold true
for St. Lucie County: Spring training fans are often visitors to
the county and plan to return again to see the Mets. Spring
training fans visit the county during other times of the year.
And it draws Mets fans and well as fans from other teams.
The closest hotel to Tradition Field is the Holiday Inn
Express, which has housed the Mets players and staff since
2013. “We are pleased to have them with us again,” Mohannad
Chabkoun, general manager, says. “We also receive
many reservations from Mets fans who will travel from
New York for a few days to watch spring training games.
The month of March is not only our busiest month, but also
for the entire St. Lucie West area. Aside from seeing a game,
many fans will visit area shops and restaurants and spend a
good amount of money.”
In March 2015, the St. Lucie County hotel occupancy rate
was almost 90 percent, according to Charlotte Bireley, county
tourism manager. “From a tourism perspective, the New York
Mets spring training in Port St. Lucie contributes greatly to >>
2016 METS SCHEDULE AT TRADITION FIELD
D
ATE DAY OPPONENT TIME
March 4 Friday Marlins 1:10
March 6 Sunday Braves 1:10
March 7 Monday Tigers 1:10
March 9 Wednesday Yankees 1:10
March 10 Thursday Cardinals 1:10
March 12 Saturday Cardinals 1:10
March 18 Friday Nationals 6:10
March 20 Sunday Red Sox 1:10
March 21 Monday Marlins 1:10
March 24 Thursday Astros 1:10
March 25 Friday Cardinals 1:10
March 27 Sunday Nationals 1:10
March 29 Tuesday Marlins 1:10
March 30 Wednesday Nationals 12:10
24 Port St. Lucie Magazine
Get tickets at newyork.mets.mlb.com
David Wright is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run in a win over the Washington Nationals last March. Spring training fans at Tradition Field
saw the team captain’s homer clear the high wall above the 410 marker in center field.
/newyork.mets.mlb.com