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Member
Dear Players, Managers, Sponsors, and Patrons,
Ohio Sports Park is a vision of sports enthusiasts. A creative vision built to bring amateur sporting events into Northeast Ohio, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth into a region that so desperately needs help. It has never been our intention to mislead anyone including our community, contractors, vendors, and most importantly our patrons by opening a park that was not completed to our vision.
Many issues have plagued our progress, some of which were out of our control. Our business plan has always required bank funding. When we started the project we had secured financing by way of a Port Authority bond. Twice they assured us they could sell this bond on the open market. When the stock market declined and the bank crisis occurred the ability to market the bond was no longer possible.
Over the past nine months we have tried numerous banks across the country to secure new financing. During these difficult economic times, the banking industry has all but closed their doors to projects like ours. As we all know, requirements for lending have changed. However, in recent weeks we have had some very positive responses from both commercial lenders and private investors. We believe that we will have financing in place soon. Our goal is, and has always been, to secure funding, pay all of our contractors and vendors, complete the park, and continue to stimulate the local economy by bringing events and jobs to Northeast Ohio as we did in 2009.
That being said, Ohio Sports Park WILL BE OPEN for the 2010 season. In fact most weekends are already booked, we have over 200 hardball games scheduled, ****** fields are going fast, and much of the sand volleyball is already sold out. It is our intention to open the park in its current condition, making moderate changes and adjustments to keep our patrons comfortable. Once the financing has been secured, the park will be completed which will include pathways, scoreboards, a children?s play area, and a building with offices, restrooms, concessions, and a sports lounge.
To update you, several weeks ago we came to an agreement with Auto-Rama Drive In. This agreement will allow us to light the fields without curfew. Last Wednesday, we came to terms with several of our vendors putting behind us some of the legal issues that have plagued the park. We are excited to resolve some of these issues and are well on our way to a successful 2010 season. We continue to believe that once it is completed it will be the place to play in Northeast Ohio.
We appreciate your support and need you now more than ever. Please consider participating in our upcoming leagues and tournaments. All of our league and tournament information can be obtained through our website at www.ohiosportspark.com.
For more information feel free to stop by, contact the office at 216-676-4522 (11am- 6pm), or email us at info@ohiosportspark.com. Make sure to ask about our returning team discounts and sponsorship programs.
Spring is just around the corner. I look forward to seeing you at the park!
Sincerely,
Tony Ballachino
Park Director
Ohio Sports Park is a vision of sports enthusiasts. A creative vision built to bring amateur sporting events into Northeast Ohio, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth into a region that so desperately needs help. It has never been our intention to mislead anyone including our community, contractors, vendors, and most importantly our patrons by opening a park that was not completed to our vision.
Many issues have plagued our progress, some of which were out of our control. Our business plan has always required bank funding. When we started the project we had secured financing by way of a Port Authority bond. Twice they assured us they could sell this bond on the open market. When the stock market declined and the bank crisis occurred the ability to market the bond was no longer possible.
Over the past nine months we have tried numerous banks across the country to secure new financing. During these difficult economic times, the banking industry has all but closed their doors to projects like ours. As we all know, requirements for lending have changed. However, in recent weeks we have had some very positive responses from both commercial lenders and private investors. We believe that we will have financing in place soon. Our goal is, and has always been, to secure funding, pay all of our contractors and vendors, complete the park, and continue to stimulate the local economy by bringing events and jobs to Northeast Ohio as we did in 2009.
That being said, Ohio Sports Park WILL BE OPEN for the 2010 season. In fact most weekends are already booked, we have over 200 hardball games scheduled, ****** fields are going fast, and much of the sand volleyball is already sold out. It is our intention to open the park in its current condition, making moderate changes and adjustments to keep our patrons comfortable. Once the financing has been secured, the park will be completed which will include pathways, scoreboards, a children?s play area, and a building with offices, restrooms, concessions, and a sports lounge.
To update you, several weeks ago we came to an agreement with Auto-Rama Drive In. This agreement will allow us to light the fields without curfew. Last Wednesday, we came to terms with several of our vendors putting behind us some of the legal issues that have plagued the park. We are excited to resolve some of these issues and are well on our way to a successful 2010 season. We continue to believe that once it is completed it will be the place to play in Northeast Ohio.
We appreciate your support and need you now more than ever. Please consider participating in our upcoming leagues and tournaments. All of our league and tournament information can be obtained through our website at www.ohiosportspark.com.
For more information feel free to stop by, contact the office at 216-676-4522 (11am- 6pm), or email us at info@ohiosportspark.com. Make sure to ask about our returning team discounts and sponsorship programs.
Spring is just around the corner. I look forward to seeing you at the park!
Sincerely,
Tony Ballachino
Park Director
