Bill Exham, general manager of community services for the city, tells GlobeSt.com that the Giants and Scottsdale Charros, which has the contract with the team, have been talking with city officials for years about the need for more ball fields near Scottsdale Stadium, the Giants' spring training ballpark. "In order for them to stay here, they wanted to expand their facilities," says Exham, noting that the city's willingness to negotiate with the team was largely due to the Giants' $13-million economic impact on the city. He says the city identified several sites, but found the golf course location ideally suited for the ball fields the team is demanding.

Exham says the golf course, located on Miller and Thomas roads within one mile of Scottsdale Stadium, sits on 44 acres, 36 acres of which are leased from the city through 2005. The remainder of the land is owned by a private investor and leased through 2005 as well. Exham says the city currently is in talks to buy that privately held acreage, which he estimates will sell for about $1 million.

Under the city's plan, the golf course will be turned into a 15-acre unlighted facility with a clubhouse, two full-size playing fields, specialized training areas and a smaller practice field. The remaining acreage, much of which is Indian Bend Wash, would be kept as open space, Exham says.