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With the Boston Red Sox exploring a move to Sarasota and Lee County officials scrambling to find alternate sites for a new baseball complex, Fort Myers officials are exploring expanding the team’s current spring home, City of Palms Park.

Meeting as the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency board on Monday, city council members discussed options for the downtown baseball stadium.

Options ranged from luring another team to the existing facility to converting the property to an all-purpose sports complex without major league baseball.

But most talk centered on expanding the 8,000-seat park to include more practice fields, a new clubhouse and other facilities.

Two options outlined by Ron Weaver of BSSW Architects hinged on the city acquiring land either through voluntary purchase or eminent domain.

The first option included building three new practice fields and two infield practice areas.

The plan would also convert the city-owned Skatium facility into new clubhouse and physical fitness rehabilitation space.

The second option was similar to the first but included five new practice fields instead of three, plus added seating and commercial space within the stadium.

Under either option, the complex would stretch four blocks west from the current stadium, fronting a stretch of Cleveland Avenue currently occupied by used car lots, an auto repair shop and other small businesses.

The plans also call for baseball-related commercial development along Cleveland Ave. such as a sports bar or memorabilia stores.

“In the past the county has probably benefited more than the city from spring training, but I’m not sure that will be true in the future, when you consider the city’s current redevelopment plans,” said Weaver.

“And once you get a larger complex, you have more opportunity to attract state tournaments, Roy Hobbs baseball and other group baseball business that will use the facilities on more of a year-round basis.” Council members were positive about the plans but called the meeting exploratory.

“As I understand it, we don’t have much control but we want to be as flexible as we can,” said Councilman Warren Wright.

“The way I see our charge is basically to be prepared when the county comes to us,” said Councilman Randy Henderson. “My fear was that we’d appear indifferent, or look like we didn’t care if the Red Sox left. This at least gives us a direction.” Henderson and Community Redevelopment Director Don Paight were named board liaisons in possible negotiations with the county over the city’s spring training future.

The board also directed the city attorney to investigate current eminent domain laws.

After the meeting, Weaver said he was unsure of the possible cost for either option but said the larger expansion could approach $25 million.

Lee County handles operational costs and maintenance at City of Palms Park under an interlocal agreement, but the city of Fort Myers still owes $19 million for the park’s construction.

City of Palms was built in 1993 at a cost $24 million and the city will be paying $1.8 million in annual debt service until 2023.