Trinity reaches settlement with baseball groups
Trinity Area School Board Thursday approved a settlement with Washington County Family Entertainment LLC, Washco Ballpark Holdings and Washco Ballpark Management regarding a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by Family Entertainment.
Family Entertainment claimed Trinity unlawfully refused to meet its obligation to fulfill a five-year facilities use agreement the district entered into in March 2012 that enabled Trinity’s baseball team to play home games at Wild Things Park.
The agreement was to be equal to the tax levy of the ballpark and surrounding land, along with additional charges.
The school district notified Family Entertainment it would not renew the agreement to use the ballpark once it expired March 30, 2017, citing it paid more to play at the ballpark than other high school teams.
Family Entertainment received Trinity’s real estate tax bills totaling $66,934, and Family Entertainment, through the lessor for the facility, invoiced Trinity the same amount. But the district indicated it would not pay for its annual rent for 2016 or the prorated share of rent through March 2017.
Family Entertainment claimed the school district’s failure to meet the financial obligation could cause irreparable harm to the corporation in excess of the $66,934 invoice and asked for a court order requiring Trinity to pay rent due through March 30, 2017.
Trinity Superintendent Michael Lucas said the district and the other parties “have some actions that each side must take to fully conclude the settlement” and deferred comment until those actions are completed.
In another matter, Lucas said renovation at Trinity South Elementary School is on schedule, and the school district expects to open for the 2018-19 school year on time.
The district plans to host a school tour for parents before the school starts Sept. 4.