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Prim: New Winston-Salem ballpark may not open in April

Winston-Salem Dash co-owner Billy Prim confirms earlier reports questioning status of new downtown facility.Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) owner Billy Prim confirmed what had been rumored for a few weeks: that his team’s new ballpark may not be ready for the beginning of the 2009 season.

Part of the delay comes in Prim’s buyout of former co-owner Andrew J "Flip" Filipowski. The other component, he said, related to added costs of the project. What began as $22.6 million project is now a $38-million ballpark.

"The stadium’s exact opening day depends on when we can finish ownership restructuring and agreement," Prim told the Winston-Salem Journal. "It may mean that … the stadium does not open on the day you might think."

No word on where the team could play. Ernie Shore Field, the team’s former home, is now owned by Wake Forest University, and some changes to the Carolina League schedule could put the team on an extended road trip to start the season, along with some series shifts.

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