🔒Ballpark figures: Maine sports teams make the most of leased, dated venues

It’s a hard-knock life for minor-league sports, which in a smaller market like Portland requires making the most of leased facilities — and sometimes a hefty bill for upgrades. The Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Celtics and Hearts of Pine all lease venues from the city, while the Maine Mariners are tenants of Cumberland County at the Cross Insurance Arena. Originally called the Cumberland County Civic Center, the building dates to 1977 — the same year that Barry Manilow released “Looks Like We Made It.” (The 82-year-old pop star will actually give a concert there this April.) But winter belongs to hockey, and while the Mariners have not plunked any of their own money into the arena, the team has benefited from new boards and glass replaced by the county in 2024. “We would love to have more premium seating availability,” says CEO Adam Goldberg. “The demand for premium space is high but the current arena does not allow for expansion.” Among the three city-owned venues, the 112-year-old Portland Expo is by far the oldest. It has played host to concerts by musical greats from the Beach Boys to Janis Joplin and a 1945 wrestling match whose referee was Babe Ruth.

Far more modest than Boston’s TD Garden — site of Boston Celtics and Bruins games — the home of the Maine Celtics endures wear and tear from the NBA G League team and fellow users including Portland High School and middle school sports teams. Over the years the Maine Celtics have poured more than $1 million into upgrades at the Expo, including a new hardcourt in 2022. With the team’s current three-year lease set to expire in June with the possibility to extend to 2029, city officials are exploring options for the Expo’s future direction. Meanwhile at the 32-year-old ballpark where the Sea Dogs next take the field in April, the team recently invested $15 million to build a new clubhouse and replace the turf. “The turf was installed before the first snow, and the outfield wall is still being finished, but the field is ready for play,” says Sea Dogs President Geoff Iacuessa. The projects were financed by the team’s private equity-backed owner, with additional support from a state tax credit of up to $2 million to be spread over 15 years. “If we didn’t make those investments, we would have been relocated,” Iacuessa says. The Sea Dogs’ 15-year lease agreement with the city is valid until 2038. Next door at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Portland Hearts of Pine soccer squad invested $2.6 million in its inaugural season to install a new turf and LED lighting, add locker rooms and spiff up the press box. The team shares “Fitzy” with the Portland High School Bulldogs and has a five-year lease valid through 2029 with the option to renew for two more five-year terms.