Rome Braves

Inside March 11, 2003's Issue

-Sports-

Sports Commentary

5-on-5 Basketball

Rome Braves to play ball

By Chris Lundy
Staff Writer
Construction at the Rome Braves' stadium

The start of the much-anticipated Rome Braves' season is nearing the first pitch and first swing.

Mike Dunn, general manager of the Rome Braves, expects great things from the first season although many taxpayers of Rome and Floyd County wonder if the stadium will be up before April 11, which is the date slated for the first game.

"Rome is an outstanding community. The traffic and exposure from other South Atlantic League cities is profitable in various ways," Dunn said.

Though the stadium and parking areas are not yet complete, according to Dunn the people of Rome and Floyd County should have no fear of the project not meeting its completion date, March 15.

Paying for the stadium was, and still is, a huge factor. SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) paid for the majority of the stadium. However, other funding was provided.

"The Atlanta Braves also provided financial assistance. Though the stadium costs are still pending, huge sums of money have already gone into the facility," said Dunn.

A job fair for employment at the stadium was held on Feb. 22. Dunn stated that the number of jobs will be numerous.

"There are 70 home games. The stadium opens up 150 diverse jobs," he said.

Students and faculty at FC are concerned about the financial consequences if the stadium is not ready in time.

Amit Patel, a student, said, "If the stadium is not completed by March 15, the county has to pay $5,000 every day until it's complete. The weather has been a major problem right now, which is stopping the work outside the stadium. If the stadium is not done by then, the county will find some way to pay the $5,000, even if it means raising taxes."

Mark Reeves, student, is concerned as well.

"I think in large part the sub-contractors should be held responsible. I'm sure weather has played an important role in the delay of the stadium. I don't think Floyd County should be penalized. I think since they are, though, they should counter sue the contractors who haven't met their deadline," Reeves said.

Carla Patterson, English instructor, is more concerned as a taxpaying citizen.

"I don't deal with government contracts and construction projects, so I do not claim to understand the details of such, but I did find it strange that seemingly so little work was done on the stadium last summer," she said.

Patterson went on to explain, "Now, we (Rome and Floyd County taxpayers) are facing the prospect of construction delays, which are in part blamed on weather. That is frustrating, to say the least. I was and am in favor of the baseball stadium and franchise relocation. However, as a taxpayer I don't want to be responsible for something it seems adequate planning could have prevented, such as the county's potential breach of contract payments to the Braves." Patterson agrees that the responsibility for payment of potential construction delay penalties should rest with the contractors, not the county.

Dr. Rob Page, associate professor of history, simply stated, "You have to hold to the contract. It is unfortunate. Hopefully, pressure will be put on the contractors to finish as soon as possible."

Dunn is looking forward to the Braves' first game against Savannah. Dunn stated that April 11 will be a "historic event and the start of a wonderful relationship."

He encourages the city of Rome and Floyd County to support the Rome Braves. More information about the team can be obtained by calling the Rome Braves Headquarters at (706) 368-9388 or by visiting their website at www.romebraves.com.