East Providence, Bayside FC formally terminate turf field lease

Organization receives balance of what it owed to lender

By Mike Rego; mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com
Posted 2/1/19

EAST PROVIDENCE — The land lease agreement between the school district, the city and the Bayside FC youth soccer organization was officially terminated in recent days, paving the way for the new …

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East Providence, Bayside FC formally terminate turf field lease

Organization receives balance of what it owed to lender

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The land lease agreement between the school district, the city and the Bayside FC youth soccer organization was officially terminated in recent days, paving the way for the new East Providence High School construction schedule to remain on time.

Following initial approval by the School Committee, then that of the City Council and finally with the signature of Mayor Bob DaSilva, the contract between the parties was formally dissolved, setting an end date for the use of the artificial turf field built by Bayside FC back in 2016.

Bayside and the respective EPHS boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams will still have access to the facility through the upcoming spring sports schedule. The new high school plan calls for work to commence on the site sometime in June.

Schools Superintendent Kathryn Crowley discussed the matter with the council at its January 22 meeting, telling the body the city and the new mayor needed to immediately give their approval to the termination of the deal to meet an agreed upon deadline between Bayside FC and the district the following day, January 23.

As per the terms of the original lease between the sides signed back in 2015, if a new EPHS were to be built during the following 30 years, the city would compensate the organization for the outstanding balance of its initial investment, which was just north of $1.5 million. Bayside FC paid for the installation of a full-size artificial turf surface and other amenities for the field.

After recent negotiations, the sides settled on a figure of $1,194,902.72 in principal and interest Bayside FC owed to its lender. Superintendent Crowley said the district would pay the sum out of its capital account, which she quoted as having approximately $6.8 million available. The settlement figure with Bayside was included in the $189.5 million high school bond referendum item approved by voters last November. The superintendent said the money is part of the reimbursement the district will receive from the Rhode Island Department of Education for the new EPHS project.

Superintendent Crowley acknowledged the urgency of her request, saying she expected the matter to have been resolved by the previously seated body, but talks between the sides weren’t concluded in time. The superintendent said the payment had to be made on January 23 to avoid any penalties per the settlement.

As for future home of Bayside FC, the organization’s vice president and EPHS boys’ soccer coach Tony Vieira said the group was still pondering its options and would likely have an announcement in the coming days. Also as part of the settlement with the district, Bayside will be maintaining ownership of the lighting system from the existing site. The school department, according to athletic director Gregg Amore, will keep the fencing for use at a later date.

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.