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City, Diablos talking end of Cohen Stadium lease

El Paso DiablosThe city and the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are discussing a termination of the team’s lease at Cohen Stadium, which could lead to a downsizing of the facility in the future.

The Tigua tribe, owners of the team, had talked about running the Diablos even after a new Triple-A Pacific Coast League team moves to a downtown ballpark in 2014, but it appears cooler heads are prevailing: it would be extremely hard for the Diablos to generate much revenue or buzz once the new ballpark opens. So the Diablos and the city are discussing an end to the team’s lease after 2013, according to Mayor John Cook:

“That group, has I think recognized, financially, it’d be very difficult to compete (with a AAA baseball team). They actually approached us about the lease and entering a transition and we just said ‘look we want to work with you. We want to make this mutually beneficial and certainly we don’t want to do anything that could economically hurt the Diablos or the Tiguas.”

Under one plan being floated, the ballpark would be scaled back to a more modest amateur facility — maybe with the cooperation of El Paso Community College — and the ballpark site would also serve as home to a water park. The water-part aspect of the plan in early stages.

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