For the first time in months, the Myrtle Beach City Council heard two motions related to the fan-loved minor league baseball team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans .
They voted unanimously “yes” on the first reading of one ordinance, and unanimously “yes” on a motion immediately afterwards.
For weeks, impassioned fans have come to city council meetings to share their love of the team, and created a Facebook group to share stories and photos.
This wave of community support comes on the heels of contract re-negotiations between the team and local municipalities.
Records show that 70% of the stadium is owned by the city and 30% is owned by Horry County.
The first ordinance, that passed through the initial stages at city council on Tuesday, extends the current lease agreement between the baseball team and the city and the county for an additional year, expiring 30 days after the 2025 season concludes, Ordinance 2024-64 said.
City manager Johnathan “Fox” Simons Jr. said this would be the fourth time the lease from the original contract was extended like this.
“It’s identical,” he said, compared to the other lease extensions city council has passed previously.
The city would continue their negotiations with the team to try and get a more permanent contract in place once this lease extension expires .
“We will continue to work diligently with the team’s owner to come to a more long term arrangement,” he said.
The next item on Tuesday’s agenda was Motion 2024-81 , which allocates up to $1.3 million for repairs for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans baseball stadium downtown.
That motion was passed by council unanimously.
According to Simons, in response to a question about the repairs from council member Bill McClure, these renovations would be needed regardless if the stadium remains linked to the minor league baseball team or not.
He said during the discussion that the repairs are needed in order for the building to be ready by next summer to allow people inside.
Simons said these repairs would be paid for with cash from the city’s Hospitality Tax revenue. He added that the minor league baseball association would look favorably on the lease extension with the team, and they should be all set to play next summer.
The lease extension ordinance will come back for its next reading at the next city council meeting later this month.
The stadium needs millions of dollars worth of repair in order for it to stay within the requirements passed down by minor league baseball, discussions in previous meetings have shown. Otherwise, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans would no longer be able to play there.
According to previous statements made by city spokeswoman Meredith Denari, the renovations that are required is for the benefit of the players and would not enhance the overall fan or visitor experience. She previously told The Sun News that the city loses approximately $90,000 a year operating the stadium.
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