Winston-Salem will buy the unfinished ballpark from Billy Prim's development firm and lease it back to him, giving the city more control over completion of the facility for the 2010 season.
The city of Winston-Salem will buy the unfinished Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark from Billy Prim's development firm and lease it back to the team, giving the city more control over completion of the facility.
The original deal called for Prim to build the ballpark with a mixture of private and public funds, then give the ballpark to the city after 25 years. The agreement moved up that transfer to this year.
The ballpark was originally slated to open this season, but financial woes experienced by Prim and a long-delayed buyout of co-owner Andrew "Flip" Filipowski forced an end to construction before the season started. No work has been done in recent months, and several contractors and subcontractors filed liens. The city last month agreed to put $12.7 million toward completion of the ballpark, in addition to the $12 million already spent by the city on the project.
RELATED STORIES: Ballpark oversight committee forming in Winston-Salem; Winston-Salem will fund ballpark completion; Prim can't raise $$$ to finish Dash ballpark; wants city bailout; How can Dash pick up the pieces for 2010?; Dash confirms no games at new ballpark this season; New Winston-Salem ballpark unlikely to open this season; Dash to play at Ernie Shore Field through June 17 — at least; Dash announces new mascot; still working on new ballpark; Prim seeks $6 million in outside financing to complete ballpark; Will new Winston-Salem ballpark open on time?; Prim sought additional city financing for new W-S ballpark; More details released on Winston-Salem ballpark upgrades; Prim: New Winston-Salem ballpark may not open in April; New for 2009: The Winston-Salem Dash; New Winston-Salem ballpark opening may be delayed
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