CoolToday Park

In 2015, the Atlanta Braves began looking for a new Spring Training home. From 1997 to 2019, the Braves held spring training at Champion Stadium near Orlando. To reduce travel times the team sought a new spring home in Florida to get closer to other teams' facilities.

In April 2016, the Braves and Sarasota County officials announced they were in formal negotiations.{{cite news |title=Sarasota County board votes to pursue spring-training deal with Braves |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/sarasota-county-board-votes-pursue-spring-training-deal-with-braves/WSzg9lX9oP011aUIHIRBgJ/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=February 27, 2017}} The Braves and Sarasota County began discussing a {{convert|100 to 150|acre|adj=on}} site in the Wellen Park master-planned community in North Port.

In January 2017, the Braves and Sarasota County announced that they had entered formal negotiations. Initial plans for the project were for a $125 million complex on about {{convert|70|acre}}.{{cite news |title=Cost of Braves' new spring-training facility jumps to $125 million |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=https://www.myajc.com/sports/cost-braves-new-spring-training-facility-jumps-125-million/4643WXPliigTpLeGBhbXqO/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 1, 2018 |access-date=March 1, 2018}}{{cite web |first=Cassidy |last=Alexander |title=County approves agreements for Braves training facility |url=http://www.yourobserver.com/article/county-approves-agreements-for-braves-training-facility |work=Sarasota Observer |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 12, 2017}} Six weeks after the Braves entered exclusive negotiations with Sarasota County, Fla., about a new spring-training facility, the parties reached agreement on the key terms of a proposed deal. The term sheet describes a $75.4 million facility to be built in the city of North Port and funded by Sarasota County, the state of Florida, North Port, the Braves and a private developer.

On February 28, 2017, the planned deal for a new Atlanta Braves spring training stadium received its first approval.{{cite news |first=Zack |last=Murdock |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170228/sarasota-county-endorses-initial-agreement-with-atlanta-braves |title=Sarasota County endorses initial agreement with Atlanta Braves |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=February 28, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017}} The initial agreement, known as a term sheet, outlines some of the basic finance, construction and operating commitments for baseball stadium. The Sarasota County Commission voted 4–1 to approve the terms. On May 9, 2017, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously endorsed the plan to revise the distribution of the county's tourist development tax, collected on overnight stays at hotel rooms and short-term rentals.{{cite news |first=Zack |last=Murdock |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170509/county-approves-portion-of-braves-stadium-funding |title=County approves portion of Braves stadium funding |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=May 9, 2017 |access-date=May 9, 2017}} The county plans to borrow about $22 million for the project and pay it back using a portion of the tourist tax funds, now specifically designated for the new Braves complex and the Baltimore Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, without raising the tax itself.

On May 23, 2017, the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously to approve an operating agreement that spells out the terms and conditions of a new facility for the Braves and a non-relocation agreement that requires the team to hold spring training in the complex for 30 years.{{cite news |title=Sarasota County OKs operating agreement for Braves' spring facility |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/sarasota-county-oks-operating-agreement-for-braves-spring-facility/g1DszgG3CLyeVCRcsCcJJO/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 23, 2016 |access-date=May 23, 2017}} The 48-page operating agreement sets a targeted completion date of January 15, 2019, for construction of the facility, which is to be built in the Sarasota County city of North Port.

In June 2017, Wellen Park submitted the final grant application for $20 million in state stadium funding necessary to complete the $75 million to $80 million proposed public-private financing deal.{{cite news |first=Zack |last=Murdock |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170613/atlanta-braves-to-do-list-grant-submitted-north-port-approved |title=Atlanta Braves to-do list: Grant submitted, North Port approved |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2017}} Also, North Port city leaders endorsed a licensing agreement with the Braves that allows for regular public use of the complex outside of baseball games. This satisfied concerns that commissioners have raised over the past few months.

On July 25, 2017, the North Port City Commission voted 3–2 to pay $4.7 million of sales tax money to help fund the spring training complex.{{cite news |first=Earle |last=Kimel |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170725/city-commission-approves-47-million-lump-sum-funding-for-spring-training-complex |title=City Commission approves $4.7 million lump sum funding for Spring Training complex |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017}} On September 1, 2017, it was announced that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity had conditionally approved $20 million that rounded out funding for the project.{{cite news |first=Zach |last=Murdock |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170901/state-conditionally-oks-funding-for-braves-spring-training-complex |title=State conditionally OKs funding for Braves spring training complex |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=July 25, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017}} On September 12, 2017, the Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approved the agreements.

Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement that outlines rights and responsibilities between the county and the West Villages Improvement District. The district was responsible for the design and construction of the training facility. After the park was completed ownership was transferred to the county. On September 19, 2017, the plan received its final public approval from the North Port City Commission.{{cite news |first=Zach |last=Murdock |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170919/north-port-approves-final-atlanta-braves-spring-training-agreement |title=North Port approves final Atlanta Braves spring training agreement |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=September 19, 2017 |access-date=September 19, 2017}}

By September 2017, crews had started preparatory studies and surveys of the site. On September 1, 2017, the Braves announced Mike Dunn as the new Vice President of Florida Operations.{{cite web |title=Mike Dunn to Head Florida Ops for Atlanta Braves |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2017/09/02/mike-dunn-to-head-florida-ops-for-atlanta-braves/ |work=Ballpark Digest |date=September 2, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2017}} Dunn oversaw development of the new spring-training complex and on October 16, 2017, local officials and team executives formally broke ground on the site of the planned $100 million stadium complex. Braves Vice Chairman John Schuerholz welcomed a crowd of more than 100 fans, residents and local elected officials as new "friends and neighbors” to the team during a short opening ceremony in the sweltering heat.

Sarasota-based Tandem Construction and Southfield, MI based Barton Malow was in charge of project.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tandemconstruction.com/news-article/tandem-construction-barton-malow-selected-build-atlanta-braves-spring-training-complex |title=Tandem Construction + Barton Malow Selected to Build the Atlanta Braves Spring Training Complex in North Port, FL |last=dhorton |date=October 16, 2017 |work=Tandem Construction|access-date=February 8, 2018}} The construction schedule was to complete the stadium in time for when pitchers and catchers report to camp in February 2019. However, on January 31, 2018, the Braves announced they would extend their lease with Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports through April 2019 "to ensure there is enough time to complete” the new facility. The team held their 2019 spring training at Disney and played their final spring training home game at the new facility.

In June 2018, 30% of the construction was complete.{{cite news |title=Leadoff: Look at new renderings of Braves' spring training facility |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/leadoff-look-new-renderings-braves-spring-training-facility/J0DfCSYSY25eZo1ofUNGRI/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=June 19, 2018 |access-date=June 20, 2018}} On December 4, 2018, North Port announced a 20-year stadium naming-rights deal with CoolToday, a local air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical services company, in which the park's name was unveiled: CoolToday Park.{{cite news |title=Name unveiled for Braves' new spring training stadium |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/name-unveiled-for-braves-new-spring-training-stadium/dVxGfIXEcIEuJKHdVqNNyN/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=December 4, 2018}} At the completion of the park the costs for the project had increased to $140 million.

File:CoolToday Park from Center Field.jpg

CoolToday Park features 6,200 fixed seats that can accommodate up to 8,000, including the berm and standing room, team clubhouse, training facilities, a half-dozen practice baseball fields, six multi-use fields and space for the team's sports medicine academy.{{cite web| url=https://www.visitsarasota.com/article/fast-facts-cooltoday-park-new-home-braves-baseball-florida |title=Fast Facts For CoolToday Park: New Home to Braves Baseball in Florida |website=Visit Sarasota |access-date=May 23, 2019}} The complex is envisioned to become the heart of a planned "town center" commercial and residential district that will create opportunities for the college and nearby medical practices to partner with the team and its affiliates.

The stadium itself sits on the north end of the tract, just south of the site of a planned new elementary and middle school campus. A public plaza area abutting West Villages Parkway is planned and will be used as special event space when the team is not in town. Practice fields and multi-use fields cover the southern and eastern portions of the {{convert|70 to 75|acre}}. The multi-use fields will be used as grass parking to expand capacity during spring training and as public fields for the new schools or new tournaments. The team's sports medicine, fitness and physical therapy academy are also on the site.

The ballpark incorporates several familiar facets from other Grapefruit League facilities. The clubhouse behind the right field fence is reminiscent of Charlotte Sports Park. An outfield grandstand is similar to Bradenton's LECOM Park. The berm in left field is common to many spring training facilities. The ballpark has a left-field tiki bar, as does the Phillies' Spectrum Field in Clearwater.

The outfield dimensions mirror those of Truist Park, the Braves' MLB home.

File:Pre-game ceremony at CoolToday Park.jpg

After construction delays, the park wasn't complete before the 2019 season, however, on March 24, 2019, the Braves held the first game at the park at the end of the Spring Training season. Many former Braves players were in attendance, including Hank Aaron. After a pregame ribbon-cutting and a ceremonial first pitch by former Braves player Terry Pendleton, former Braves manager Bobby Cox proclaimed "play ball!"{{cite news |title=Opening day draws raves at Braves' new spring-training home |first=Tim |last=Tucker |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/baseball/opening-day-draws-raves-braves-new-spring-training-home/FnNTqoVUtK15cT16jOiBPO/ |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=October 11, 2022}} Kevin Gausman threw the first pitch and the Braves won 4–2 over the Tampa Bay Rays.

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• [https://www.cooltodaypark.com Official website]

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Category:Atlanta Braves stadiums

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Category:Buildings and structures in Sarasota County, Florida

Category:Grapefruit League venues

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Category:2019 establishments in Florida

Category:Atlanta Braves spring training venues

Category:North Port, Florida