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Editorial: Teamwork keeps Fightin Phils in Reading

It’s hard to imagine a better location to pay tribute to teamwork than in a baseball stadium, a place where success is impossible without people pulling together.

Last week the celebration of teamwork was all about the ballpark itself, as community leaders gathered to mark their success in coming up with the funding needed for improvements to FirstEnergy Stadium.

The event was held after the state announced it was providing $7.5 million for the stadium renovation project. It is a grant from a program for the construction of regional economic and recreational improvement projects. That money — added to a total of $9 million pledged by the team, Reading and Berks County — ensures that there’s enough money to cover the cost of stadium improvements required by Major League Baseball.

Things didn’t look so good as summer approached and word spread of MLB’s new standards for minor league stadiums. It would require millions of dollars to get the 70-year-old FirstEnergy Stadium up to snuff. And if the organization failed to make the necessary changes, there was a chance the Reading Fightin Phils could be moved to a city with a facility that meets all the requirements.

But in a matter of months, there were no more fears that Berks might lose one of its most beloved institutions.
This was hardly a foregone conclusion. Raising the necessary money required bipartisanship in an era when it is sorely lacking. And there were potentially potent political arguments to be made against funding this project. Direct government financial support for private entities, especially professional sports organizations, doesn’t sit well with everyone. There are potential objections to it from both ends of the political spectrum.

But in this case the Republicans who run county government and the Democrats who control City Hall immediately stepped up to the plate, followed by state lawmakers of both parties.

The reason is clear. This is Baseballtown. The national pastime has been woven deeply into the fabric of this community from the early days of the 20th century. For more than 50 years the Philadelphia Phillies have operated an affiliate here, and summer nights at the old ballpark are deeply cherished, even by people who aren’t sports fans. FirstEnergy Stadium has a national reputation as one of America’s best places to watch a game. The idea that it could go away is unfathomable. Our political leaders ­— urban, suburban and rural alike — recognized this. It’s a rare example of something that binds us in these divisive times.

There will be improvements to the existing ballpark along with construction of a two-story building beyond the right field wall. It will house the home and visiting clubhouses, a female locker room, batting tunnels, bullpens, a weight room, a team dining area with a kitchen, team laundry facilities, space for equipment storage and other enhancements. Construction is expected to begin in September.

What makes this news even better is that the improvements to the ballpark will serve the community even when games aren’t being played. Fightin Phils General Manager Scott Hunsicker said part of the space is being designed to host large events when the team is not playing. It will offer an expansive view of the field.
We cannot overstate how important it was to get this project accomplished.

After all the difficulties Reading has endured, it’s imperative that our community continues to have easy access to this fun, family-oriented activity. A trip to FirstEnergy Stadium is a celebration of this community’s heritage. It’s something that needed to be preserved.

The Fightin Phils are vital to our community’s economy, quality of life and identity. At a time when MLB has reduced the number of cities hosting big league affiliates, having one here speaks well of our community and makes clear that this is a good place to live, visit and do business. We’re grateful to have leaders who realize this.


Source: Berkshire mont

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