Dunedin leaders left on a goodwill trip to Toronto Thursday, in an effort to continue positive talks with the Blue Jays.
- Contract with city ends in 2017
- City leaders to present gifts to team president
- Proposal for county funding in works
The Major League Baseball team's spring training contract with the city is up at the end of 2017. Dunedin Chamber of Commerce Chair Jane Sweeney said that so far, conversations with the team's new president, Mark Shapiro, have gone well.
"It just seems like they are open to making it work," Sweeney said.
Sweeney stopped by The Painted Fish Gallery before leaving to pick up some artwork by local artist Bill Renc.
Sweeney, along with nearly two dozen city leaders, will present the artwork as a gift to Shapiro over the weekend.
"I can't wait for the presentation," Sweeney said. "He's going to love it."
The city is also working on a proposal for county funding, to either upgrade or build a new facility for the team. A public workshop on the issue will be held Aug. 22.