Plus, $300 million for Lakeland Linder.
 
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Today’s Forecast

80º | Isolated thunderstorms | 40% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.
 

What’s going down in Tigertown?

The Detroit Tigers will train in Lakeland through 2044
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Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium | Photo by Tom Hagerty
We may not know what Lakeland will look like over the next 20 years, but one thing’s certain: The Detroit Tigers will still be running Tigertown. The Lakeland City Commission has approved a modification to the team’s lease + use agreement, securing the team a seven-year extension to its lease. The Tigers’ lease now ends on Dec. 31, 2044.

The modification includes a new state-of-the-art facility including dormitories, a cafeteria, and recreation space. Former facilities will be demolished to make room for the new building, including Fetzer Hall and a World War II-era hangar from the former Lodwick School of Aeronautics.

What’s in it for Lakeland? Spring training is about more than just baseball. The month or so that the Tigers train here can bring in around $55 million for Lakeland’s economy.

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland during an evening baseball game. A dark cloud lingers in the blue sky, blocking the sunset.

The field and stadium won’t be affected by the new plans.

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Photo by @julio__garza

Let’s break down this new deal by the numbers:
  • $33 million. That’s the total cost to build the new facility.
  • $25 million. That’s the maximum amount of bonds the City of Lakeland will issue the Detroit Tigers for construction, which the Tigers will repay. Why? The City would likely find better financing options as a municipality, and it would essentially own the facility.
  • $8 million. That’s how much total capital the City and the Tigers will put towards construction, with both paying $4 million.
  • $300,000. That’s the Tigers’ annual rent, plus a $274,448 Management Services Fee paid to the City each year.
  • 110. That’s how many years the Tigers will have trained in Lakeland by 2044 — the longest relationship in the MLB.
If you’re already putting on your Tigers gear in celebration, mark your calendar for 2024 spring training from Feb. 24 to March 24 at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Asked

If you could get a sneak peek into the future facility, what would you most want to see?
A. The dormitories
B. The cafeteria
C. The recreation hall
D. I’m just ready to see another game.
Field our questions here
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 22
  • Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and water to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older — locations vary by day.
Thursday, Nov. 23
  • Thanksgiving Grand Buffet at the Terrace Grille | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Terrace Grille Lakeland, 329 E. Main St., Lakeland | $139 | Make a reservation for this buffet meal, including Thanksgiving classics, carving stations, and a raw bar — reservations are limited.
Friday, Nov. 24
Saturday, Nov. 25
  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
  • Lakeland Arts Association Artist Garage Sale | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Hamptons Golf & Country Club, 1094 US 92 W., Auburndale | Price of purchase | Artists and crafters will sell gently used art supplies, plus their own artwork.
Friday, Dec. 15
  • Light Up BSP | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the season with free nightly holiday-themed events, including live music concerts, visits with Santa, seasonal food + drinks, family-friendly activities, and so much more.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Number
  • $300 million. That’s how much has been invested into Lakeland Linder International Airport over the past 10 years for upgrades. LAL has become the 95th busiest airport in the US — it could continue climbing the ranks as airport leadership negotiates with commercial airlines. (LkldNow)
Concert
  • The 6th Annual Concert for the Kids is set for Feb. 7 at the RP Funding Center, featuring artists Chris Janson, Maddie & Tae, Brian Kelley, and Connor Smith. The concert is part of the Country Cares for St. Jude program, which contributes net ticket sales to the children’s hospital.
Civic
  • Heads up. If you typically have waste collection service on Thursday or Friday, pickup days will change this week for both City of Lakeland and Polk County customers. Thursday pickups will be shifted to Friday, and Friday pickups will be shifted to Saturday.
Real Estate
  • No surprises here: Lakeland is one of the top cities in Tampa Bay where new movers are looking to buy homes. According to a recent report using data from Realtor.com, 6.2% of area listings viewed were in Lakeland. (Stacker)
Try This
Drink
Sports
  • Former Lakeland Tigers manager Jim Leyland has been nominated for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Leyland notched 1,769 major league wins with the teams he managed over his career, which also included the Detroit Tigers. (The Ledger)
Asked
  • Ready to trim the tree? We’re on the hunt for Lakeland locations selling real Christmas trees this year, like the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest sand pine sale in Frostproof. If you know of another spot that fits the bill, slide the details our way. (The Ledger)
Award
  • Six Watson Clinic primary care and pediatric locations received national recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).The coveted recognition was awarded to Watson clinic for meeting or exceeding a series of strict standards and criteria. See which locations were recognized.*
Retail
  • Is your local business looking for a location upgrade? The Shops at Lake Wire are now offering prime retail locations near the heart of Downtown Lakeland for Spring 2024. These pristine spaces have room for dining, retail, coffee, and outdoor areas + sit next to 300 brand-new Lake Wire apartments.*
Shop
  • Have an active loved one on your shopping list? Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled ebikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep. Get up to $1,200 off for Black Friday, and score free express shipping with code TREE.*
 
Answered

Culture

What Lakelanders are thankful for this year
A swan swimming across Lake Morton at sunset
We’re thankful for Lake Morton walks, too. | Photo via @cathyannstokes
What are you thankful for this year? Here’s what a few of our readers have to say:

“The beautiful sparkly lights in Munn Park.” — Reader Wendy F.

“I am thankful for where I live: The Lake Morton district. Every morning during my walk, I’m grateful for the beauty of our community. It has done wonders for my mental and physical health. I never really practiced gratitude until I moved to Lake Morton. The fact I have something so unique a few steps from my home is a beautiful thing.” — Reader Hali T.

“Being able to contribute back to my community this year. Mary’s Bagel Café summer lunch program feeding over 600 kids summer lunches and feeding 25-30 families this Thanksgiving from the donations from our tip jar.” — Mary’s Bagel Café

“I am thankful for the LAL. I can get all my local info and more, thanks!” — Reader Alison T.

Note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.
The Buy

The Buy 11.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A bundle we’ll be snacking on all season, especially since it will be on sale this Saturday.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Here’s another thing I’m grateful for: Lakeland’s thriving small business scene. If you’re a business owner with a deal coming up for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday, tell us about it.
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