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Ballpark funding agreement updated

County approves document to reflect ownership change

HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County became the last entity to update a ballpark funding agreement recognizing Diamond Baseball Holdings as the new owner of the Altoona Curve and its willingness to honor its predecessor’s pledge.

Commissioners voted Thursday to sign the document designating DBH Altoona LLC as the legal entity for the baseball team and removing former Curve owner, Lozinak Professional Basement LLC.

In June, Diamond Baseball Holdings announced the acquisition adding the Curve to its growing roster of minor league teams. The organization also owns the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railroaders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Williamsport Crosscutters who compete in the MLB Draft League and the State College Spikes.

Commissioners Chairman Bruce Erb said Thursday that the approved document makes no changes to the Ballpark Improvement Fund Agreement other than to recognize Curve’s ownership change.

Under the agreement that took effect on Dec. 1, 2016, five entities — Lozinak Professional Baseball LLC, the Lakemont Partnership, the Blair County Convention Center and Sports Facilities Authority, Blair County commissioners and Altoona-Blair County Development Corp. — made financial pledges toward the cost of capital repairs at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

The newly approved agreement indicates that DBH Altoona LLC is willing to assume all the obligations Lozinak Professional Baseball LLC made. Based on the 2016 agreement, that amounts to $60,000 annually through the end of 2026.

The original agreement also created a five-member group, with representatives from each of the entities, who are supposed to meet at least twice a year and evaluate proposed improvements. Erb said he is currently the county’s representative on that group.

Commissioners Laura Burke and Amy Webster joined Erb in becoming the last entity to sign the document that’s been under legal review.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.

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