The Beacon City School District has opted to extended Dutchess County‘s land lease for Dutchess Stadium, a potential step toward an extension between the county and Hudson Valley Renegades (Short Season A; NY-Penn League).
Dutchess Stadium is owned by the county and leased to the Renegades, but sits on land that is controlled by the Beacon City School District. The land lease was set to expire on December 31, a date that loomed as the county works to complete a ballpark lease extension with the Renegades that would include funding for repairs.
In an action taken last week, school trustees approved a memorandum of understanding to extend the land lease for another year. While it would maintain county ownership of the ballpark–which would change hands to Beacon schools without an extension–it could help move discussions with the Renegades forward. A proposed extension stalled earlier this month, when Dutchess County legislators voted against a resolution that included $2.4 million in ballpark repairs, but it could come back up for a vote in December. More from the Poughkeepsie Journal:
Beacon school trustees approved a memorandum of understanding at its Monday meeting, granting a lease extension that’s good for up to one year.
“We hope that this will allow the county to continue to work with the Renegades to solidify a long-term-agreement,” said Beacon school board President Anthony White.
The lease extension is a critical component in negotiations with the Renegades, which have been ongoing for nearly two years, said County Executive Marc Molinaro, in news releases.
The proposed work at Dutchess Stadium includes structural repairs, parking lot improvements, and seating upgrades to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The county would authorize $3 million total for the repairs, including $2.4 million in bond money and $600,000 from an Empire State Development grant.
RELATED STORIES: Renegades Dutchess Stadium Extension in Limbo