As the 19th Annual Spring Training Season came to a successful close, and the Boston Red Sox look forward to their new stadium next year on Daniels Parkway in southeast Lee County, the Lee County Sports Authority embraces a new era for the City of Palms Park.

The City of Palms Park has for 19 years been the nerve center in the county for numerous exciting activities, especially while the Boston Red Sox have called the park home for their Spring Training.

“Even if we don’t immediately find another professional sport or team for the facility I am absolutely confident that many days of exciting times are still ahead for us at the City of Palms Park,” said Lee Commissioner Chairman Frank Mann.

“The City of Palms Park is a jewel within our community and will live on as an active sports center for amateur tournaments and training programs,” said City of Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson Jr. “Our city pride and hospitality stands ready for new programs and activities for a full schedule of events all year-round in this much-loved facility.”

The County’s dedicated sports development agency, the Lee County Sports Authority (LCSA), has a focused mission to attract and retain sporting events and activities that will provide economic stimulus through sports tourism including the continued use of the popular City of Palms Park facility.

“While we were proud to be the home of the Boston Red Sox Spring Training program, we are ready to move into the future and are confident that the energy and economic impact of new programs coming to the Park will continue to thrive,” said Jeff Mielke, executive director of the Lee County Sports Authority.

The Boston Red Sox previously utilized approximately 45 days for Spring Training, while the City of Palms Park and Player Development Complex was also booked for an additional 139 days during the year with several other programs.

From these additional events, room nights in 2010 totaled 46,527 with direct spending of $20,775,499, and a total economic impact of $34,695,082.

“We already have 150 event days committed for 2012,” Mielke said. “These events represent significant growth in amateur baseball business over the last seven years since the inception of the Sports Authority and County ownership of the Park.”

And new for 2012, City of Palm Park welcomes the expansion of a long-standing college spring break baseball tournament, the Gene Cusic Classic, for 21 days, filing dates previously utilized by the Boston Red Sox.

“We look forward to this new chapter for the City of Palms Park. The Sports Authority has a solid track record of securing a high level of year-round activity and we are on pace to continue this commitment for lively sports tourism throughout our County,” said District 5 Commissioner Frank Mann.

The Sports Authority is working with the Board of County Commissioners to determine other future opportunities that will enhance the image of Lee County as a premiere sports destination, strengthen the partnership with municipal parks and recreation departments to identify the need for additional sports partnerships, and increase the quality of life in Lee County by providing outstanding entertainment and participatory opportunities through sports.

The Lee County Sports Authority (LCSA) solicits and attracts sporting events and activities that will provide economic impact to the Lee County tourism community. Furthermore, the LCSA positions itself as a clearinghouse for local, national, and international sport entities to assist with the marketing and promotion of events that target the Lee County area as a potential host site.