COOPERSTOWN -- The owner of the Diamond Dreams of Cooperstown softball camp, which has been enmeshed in court battle initiated by its neighbors, said Tuesday he is confident the business will open again this summer despite the recent legal setback.
Inspired by the success of Dreams Park in Cooperstown and Cooperstown All-Star Village in Oneonta, Jerry Arsenault said Diamond Dreams was built on a 62-acre parcel off U.S. Route 20 in the Herkimer County town of Warren, which is bracketed by two Otsego County towns, Richfield to the west and Springfield to the east.
Arsenault said he expects his business will acquire the permits it needs from state agencies to operate in plenty of time to open for the camp season, which runs from mid-July through mid-August. He declined to say from which agencies he is awaiting permits, noting some neighbors are still trying to stop the camp from opening again.
On Tuesday, The Daily Star reported that the state Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department, agreed with those opponents that the Warren Town Board had exceeded its authority by issuing a building permit to Diamond Dreams. The town board was "ineligible" to act as a lead agency for an environmental impact review of the business, the court found.
Arsenault said dormitories that will house the softball players are being equipped with sprinkler systems. He also said security guards for the property will have state certification, and any coaches accompanying teams must face background checks.
Motels along the northern tip of Otsego Lake should benefit from the influx of families who come to the region to watch the softball tournaments held at Diamond Dreams, Arsenault said.
Local News
Owner: Softball camp will open again this summer
- Local News
-
-
Area students to highlight growing veggies in festival
Next Wednesday will be a day for gardening in Cooperstown. It is the date of the annual Spring Festival at the elementary school's Kid Garden and the start of a new initiative to involve the whole family in gardening called Growing Community.
-
New Chamber head outlines plans for economy
Barbara Ann Heegan plans to take an inventory of the local economy by stopping in at businesses _ small, medium and large _ in her role as executive director of the Otsego County Chamber.
-
State to stop fingerprinting food stamp recipients
The state will no longer require fingerprints for food stamp applicants and recipients, according to a media release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
-
Hill hopefuls Tyner, Schreibman may debate
COOPERSTOWN -- Democratic congressional hopeful Julian Schreibman said Monday he will accept an invitation from the Otsego County Democratic Committee to debate rival candidate Joel Tyner "as long as we can straighten out all of the logistics of it."
-
Attorney: Kennel owner doesn't want to pay upkeep tab
A lawyer for embattled kennel operator Frank Popolizio said Monday he will oppose an effort by the Susquehanna SPCA to force the Worcester-based dog dealer to pay the costs of feeding and housing dozens of seized dogs being held as potential evidence in the case.
-
Woman, 22, killed in two-car accident
A two-car crash in northern Otsego County on Saturday claimed the life of a Herkimer County woman.
-
Chobani plant evacuated after ammonia leak
The Chobani plant in New Berlin was evacuated after an ammonia leak at about 9 a.m. Monday, according to published reports.
-
'Go Green' course for kids starts in July
A summer program for area students will focus on "green" topics, and how scientists think and work.
- Monday, May 21, 2012
-
IBM exec urges grads to seek their 'life's passion' and 'nurture personal relationships'
Hundreds of SUNY Oneonta students graduated Saturday during ceremonies complete with pomp and circumstance, peppered with applause and featuring keynote speakers giving final lectures _ of sorts.
-
On the Bright Side: Woman of Distinction: Schoharie business owner honored
A third-generation owner of a family-run business has been named the the 2012 Senate "Woman of Distinction" for the 51st Senate District.
-
Crouch, SUNY chairman offer advice to SUNY Delhi grads
SUNY Delhi held its 95th annual commencement Saturday in the Clark Field House, where 453 associate degrees, 155 baccalaureate degrees and 77 certificates were awarded.
- Saturday, May 19, 2012
-
Area landlords busy as semester ends
Although graduation will take place for SUNY Oneonta students Saturday, things are not slowing down for the landlords who rent to them.
-
Back when White House hopefuls didn't fear reporters
Tall, thin and with steely blue eyes, the candidate breezed into the gym for a staged rally in his honor. A few Secret Service agents milled about. The walls were adorned with red, white and blue bunting and helium-filled balloons bumped against the ceiling.
-
Oxford man buys firm from boss
An Oxford man has bought the company that employed him, most recently as plant manager.
-
DEC, Sherburne-Earlville High School students to tag ash trees
Students from Sherburne-Earlville High School's Advanced Placement biology class will be assisting the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Region 7 next week by tagging ash trees on the school's campus.
-
Otsego groups sponsor photo contest
Otsego Land Trust and Otsego Lake Association are sponsoring a photo contest titled "Water, Water Everywhere." The contest is open to all residents of Otsego County and neighboring towns.
- Friday, May 18, 2012
-
Heegan selected to lead Otsego Chamber
ONEONTA -- Barbara Ann Heegan who has promoted living in Oneonta for five years is expanding her professional role to promote business in Otsego County.
-
Project brings world to students through technology
ONEONTA -- 15 Valleyview Elementary School students are working regularly with their counterparts from around the world -- without leaving their building.
-
Daily Star names new publisher
Mitchell Lynch, 46, a 28-year newspaper industry veteran, was named the publisher of The Daily Star and Cooperstown Crier on Thursday.
-
Pipeline reps get chilly reception from area residents
HARPERSFIELD -- After project managers spent two hours explaining how builders of the planned Constitution Pipeline would make every effort to minimize impacts to farms, fields and woodlots during the construction phase, the widow named Barbara Elmore declared she could never warm up to the venture.
-
Area students to highlight growing veggies in festival
