VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers made their departure from Vero Beach official, terminating their facility use agreement.

After calling Vero Beach their spring home for 61 years dating back to when they were the Brooklyn Dodgers, they informed Indian River County, Fla., officials that they were exercising their option to terminate their facility use agreement in anticipation of opening a $100 million, two-team facility in Glendale, Ariz.

They will share the new facility with the Chicago White Sox beginning next spring.

Craig Callan, the Dodgers' vice president of spring training and minor league facilities, notified Indian River County administrator Joe Baird and Vero Beach City Manager Jim Gabbard of the decision Thursday evening.

The Dodgers agreed to terms of an exit agreement in February, and the team had until next Tuesday to inform the county — without penalty — if they were not planning to return in 2009.

Although the Nov. 19 groundbreaking in Glendale was later than originally anticipated, construction crews are making up lost time by working double shifts each day, and Callan said the Dodgers were comfortable with the progress made in recent months.

"The comfort level was such that we felt it was appropriate that we move on," he said.

It's time for Indian River County to move on as well. Baird said he has a draft agreement with a replacement team, believed to be the Baltimore Orioles but not confirmed.

"We've always had a good relationship with the Dodgers," Baird said. "It's kind of sad. They've been good to the community. They've had a 60-year relationship. But we had anticipated this.

"It's a definite that they aren't going to be here that's the good thing, so we can get another team in."