Franklin County Commissioners go to B.A.T. for Cooper Stadium
Commissioners name two Baseball Action Teams (B.A.T.) for Cooper Stadium |
Date: 4-15-2005
For more Info. contact:
Hanna M. Greer
Phone: (614) 462-5848
Mobile: (614) 374-5429
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Today, the Franklin County Commissioners announced their intention to move forward with plans to locate a downtown home for the county's Triple A professional baseball team, the Columbus Clippers. The commissioners and Cooper Stadium board members named members to two newly created Baseball Action Teams (B.A.T.). The first B.A.T., Baseball Alternative Location Leaders (B.A.L.L.) is charged with securing a location for a new downtown ballpark. Cooper Alternative Plan (C.A.P.) will study alternatives for new uses for the current stadium.
"We are inviting representatives from the city, county and the public and private sectors to the table because as a community, we all have a stake in the future of Cooper Stadium and the Columbus Clippers," said Board President Mary Jo Kilroy. "That's why we have named two baseball action teams, which are comprised of a number of stakeholders who will work together as a cohesive unit as we move toward this transition."
The commissioners' goal is to provide an affordable entertainment experience for all Franklin County residents that will be an asset for the entire community and will make downtown an evermore-exciting place to live and visit, without applying county tax dollars toward the construction of a new stadium. Commissioner Dewey Stokes said, "We have said repeatedly that we have no intention of spending taxpayer dollars to build a new baseball stadium. We plan to honor that agreement."
The second committee, which is comprised of Franklinton area associations, local elected officials and private sector representatives, will concentrate on reusing the current stadium to generate income for the Franklinton community.
"As we look forward to bringing a new stadium to Franklin County, we remain concerned with the continued vitality of the Franklinton area," expressed Commissioner Paula Brooks. "Although the Clippers are leaving this neighborhood, the commissioners are committed to maintaining Franklinton's civic pride and recent strides toward revitalization."
Members of each baseball action team, B.A.L.L. and C.A.P., are listed on the attached team member roster.
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