The stadium's construction was finished in 1987. It served its users very well for more than two decades, and then underwent an impressive renovation process. The $27 million renovation was finished in January 2009.
Thanks to the renovation, the complex now houses beautiful suites and press boxes, a 20,000 square foot outfield boardwalk, a 40,000 square foot clubhouse, deluxe training facilities, practice fields and an office building. It has everything necessary to be a successful spring training home for the Tampa bay Rays.
Charlotte Sports Park has been host to some very famous moments in sports history. Prior to being the home of spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays, the complex was home to the spring training of the Texas Rangers. Therefore, it was at Charlotte Sports Park that Alex Rodriguez announced his 10-year, $250 million contract. This was the ushering in of a new age of wealth for Major League Baseball players. Charlotte Sports Park also hosted a spring training game that Michael Jordan played in during his ill-fated attempt to switch from basketball to baseball.
As well as being the home of spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays, Charlotte Sports Park is also home to the Tampa Bay Rays minor league, Class A affiliate, the Charlotte Stone Crabs. The Rays rookie team, the Gulf Coast Rays, also plays its games there. Charlotte Sports Park has also held college and high school baseball tournaments.
Charlotte Sports Park is not just a home for baseball teams. It also plays an important role in the Port Charlotte community. It has held many events that draw in non-baseball fans, such as fairs, festivals, expos and concerts. Some of the famous musicians that have played at Charlotte Sports Park include Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys and Shania Twain.