Savannah Bananas expansion: How it impacts you

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - In Daffin Park the Savannah Bananas have recently signed a leasing agreement with the city to add a new clubhouse that will be attached to Historic Grayson Stadium.

This leasing agreement gives them the right to a 10,000 square foot clubhouse.

“From the outside it’s going to look and feel 1941 Grayson Stadium, but on the inside it’s going to offer all the modern amenities and stuff that our players need,” said Ret Weeks.

The clubhouse will be attached behind the stadium, you can see some renderings we got from the Bananas below:

The expansion won’t go over any designated area of Daffin, utilizing land that was given to the Bananas in a prior leasing agreement.

“It’s not going to affect parking, it’s not affecting what we do from a gameday perspective so the community shouldn’t see anything but a nice new addition to the stadium,” said Weeks.

Under the agreement, the Bananas will cover the electrical and operating costs of Grayson Stadium. This is expected to save the city over $150,000 per year.

“This is a continued investment and partnership with the city of Savannah and the Savannah bananas as we take care of their smallest venue, but their most significant venue,” said Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson.

Community members around the area are conflicted. A couple we talked to who didn’t want to be on camera disliked the idea, but others like Jeremy Fletcher felt that this is an improvement.

“I mean it’s an unused space so if the Bananas are being successful and they need more space I don’t see a problem with them putting up something else,” said nearby resident, Jeremy Fletcher.

Fletcher hears Banana games from his backyard, and is a fan of a 1940s-themed clubhouse building.

“People wanna see stuff that looks historical so I think it’s a good idea,” said Fletcher.

WTOC will continue to follow how this clubhouse interacts with Daffin Park and its nearby residents of this area after it’s built.