IL1 Lehigh Valley IronPigs

IronPigs Handed Key to Coca-Cola Park

Published on February 27, 2008 under International League (IL1)
Lehigh Valley IronPigs News Release


(Allentown, Pa.) - Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham presented IronPigs co-owner Joe Finely the ceremonial key to Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday. The presentation, which included Finley handing Cunningham a check for the team's initial rental payment, was made in front of nearly 100 combined media members, local dignitaries and IronPigs representatives on the Club Level of Coca-Cola Park.

"This ballpark, and the fact that we have a Triple-A affiliate here, is a credit to the Lehigh Valley's growing influence in Pennsylvania," said Cunningham. "The ballpark will be owned by Lehigh County, but funded though a mix of state funding, team lease payments and a hotel tax. We have not used, and do not plan to use, any Lehigh County general fund tax dollars in the construction and operation of Coca-Cola Park."

Added IronPigs co-owner Joe Finley: "To complete a project of this magnitude, it takes a great partnership. We have been very fortunate to partner with Lehigh County and the state of Pennsylvania on this exciting project that we feel will greatly contribute to the quality of life of people throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities."

Cunningham reaffirmed that the project was both on time and on budget, with the final cost of $49.4 million being less than 3% higher than the venture's original estimated cost. He also reiterated that the ballpark would be fully completed in the coming weeks in anticipation of the inaugural game at Coca-Cola Park - an exhibition featuring the NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the IronPigs on March 30, at 2:05 p.m.

Gracie Baseball, LP, the ownership group of the IronPigs, will make annual rental payments to Lehigh County in the amount of $1.29 million that will cover the County debt payments on bonds issued to finance Coca-Cola Park's construction. The first of those 30 annual payments to Lehigh County was made today by the IronPigs.

Approximately one-third of the cost of Coca-Cola Park is covered by state funding from various sources, one-third from Gracie Baseball, LP's lease payments and the remaining portion via a Lehigh County hotel tax.

The IronPigs inaugural season, presented by Capital BlueCross, begins April 3 at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa., against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The IronPigs return for Opening Day at Coca-Cola Park on April 11 at 7:05 p.m. against the reigning International League champion Richmond Braves. Single-game tickets for the 2008 season go on sale to the general public beginning Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. and can be ordered by frequenting the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, visiting www.ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling (610) 841-PIGS. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets for the inaugural season are on sale now.

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International League Stories from February 27, 2008


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