Via Rich Tandler of CSN Washington, the office of Virginia governor Bob McDonnell issued a statement Wednesday morning that not only confirms the news that the Redskins will start holding training camp in Richmond beginning in 2013, but notes that the Redskins will begin work on "expanding and improving" their current facility at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va.
Here's Governor McDonnell's contribution to the statement:
Virginia considers the Redskins our team. The team is based here. The team trains here. The players live here. Virginians root for the Redskins on the field, and off the field the team contributes greatly to the economy and culture of the Commonwealth. Virginia is committed to keeping the Redskins right here in our state for years to come, and today we've taken a significant step towards accomplishing that goal. This is a positive and exciting development for football fans from Loudoun County to Richmond to Virginia Beach. It will mean more jobs in our state, and more revenue for state and local coffers. More than anything, it means Virginia will remain ‘Redskins Country.' In the years ahead I look forward to visiting the new expanded training facility in Loudoun County, and watching the team practice right here in our state capital of Richmond.
This pretty much puts the kibosh on any plans that would have seen the Redskins set up camp in either the District of Columbia (presumably at a site near RFK Stadium) or in Prince George's County, where they play their home games at FedEx Field (someplace like Bowie State University).
As Washington Examiner beat reporter John Keim tweeted:
improvements to facility , future there 1st noted by @MikeJonesWaPo... in reality: DC couldn't afford. Bowie? No thanks. 1 legit option: LC
— John Keim (@john_keim) June 6, 2012
And here's Examiner columnist Rick Snider:
Redskins leveraged training camp for improvements to Ashburn facility. Very smart move. Goodbye D.C. and Bowie options. Seeya in 2026.
— Rick Snider (@Snide_Remarks) June 6, 2012
For more Redskins news and discussion, head over to Hogs Haven.