Some thoughts on the Erie Times-News story linked in the previous post. First, doesn’t this quote make it seem like maybe, just maybe, this stadium was a white elephant from the very get-go:
The plan was developed with substantial input from James Walczak, an Erie lawyer who was instrumental in the construction of Uht Park and bringing the SeaWolves to town in the mid-1990s. Walczak said he has been pushing for such upgrades since Mandalay bought the SeaWolves in 2003.
At the time, Mandalay quickly set goals of increased attendance and improved corporate sponsorship. Mandalay also developed a list of desired upgrades for Uht Park that included the improvements DiVecchio and Sinnott are pushing for.
"This is terrific. There's no other way to put it," Walczak said of the proposal. "Everything in the right field of Jerry Uht Park is going to be improved. We think that the $4 million will be enough to essentially do what we wanted to do to Jerry Uht Park in the first place."
So why didn’t you build it that way in the first place?
Walczak said the upgrades would help boost revenues at the ballpark.
He estimated advertising revenue alone "could triple" because of the new scoreboard, and that additional concessions and the picnic area would bring more fans and group events to the park.
"We have the smallest facility in the Eastern League, with the fewest amenities," Walczak said. "To be competitive, to show good faith, we have to make these improvements to strengthen our ability to negotiate with Mandalay, or another team if the SeaWolves do leave."
Sinnott and DiVecchio said baseball is a key to Erie's ongoing effort to revitalize the downtown as a cultural and entertainment district. The region is seeking state grants for that effort, and DiVecchio said the $4 million could be considered a local match for any state money awarded in the future.
State Sen. Jane Earll of Fairview, R-49th Dist., agreed with that rationale.
"One of the things that the state looks at is significant community support and community resources," Earll said. "If it's something important to the community, they want to see that commitment."
Or will the state demand even more matching funds, which will require the city and county to pour even more into it? Discuss among yourselves.
Dale McBrier, DiVecchio's Republican opponent in the county executive race, said the proposal is a good idea. "I support the county getting involved," McBrier said.
The plan appears to have been hatched without input from County Executive Rick Schenker or Mayor Rick Filippi, both of whom will leave office in January.
Neither Schenker nor Filippi could be reached for comment. Filippi's top aide, Tina Mengine, said "no one discussed anything with us."
"So I can't comment specifically, but I do think it's important we do everything we can to keep the SeaWolves," Mengine said. "It's an important commodity for the community."
Mandalay officials could not be reached for comment Monday. In a previous interview, Mandalay spokesman Kevin Mortesen would not confirm the Massachusetts talks, and denied a deal is in place to move the SeaWolves.
Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan has confirmed the negotiations.
John Frey, the SeaWolves general manager, called the proposed improvements "exciting," and said Mandalay is aware of the plan. Frey said he couldn't handicap whether the improvements would sway Mandalay.
"They're a group that's been openly proactive in checking out other markets, so I don't know,"Frey said. "But this is a great step toward helping Erie's long-term baseball future."
Hmm. Seem like good people to do business with. Can’t imagine them casting about for a better deal in the future. And what was that supporters of the new plan said a few paragraphs higher? Something about the $4 million being enough to make all the necessary improvements? Can’t imagine anyone questioning their judgment. Except, er… what was that about the white elephant again?
Jake Rouch, chief executive of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, said $4 million wouldn't be enough to do all the upgrades needed at Uht Park.
"But this is how you get the ball rolling and get people energized, by being creative,"Rouch said. "Holyoke's (relocation talks) caught everybody flat-footed. But now people are stepping up."
Bollocks.
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