News from Paetec Park

[Bxl Boy]

At a press conference in downtown Rochester, Rochester Mayor William Johnson, New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio and Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks joined the Rochester Raging Rhinos ownership group of Frank DuRoss, Steve Donner and Chris Economides as they broke ground on PAETEC Park, Rochester's 17,500-seat multi-purpose stadium. The construction will begin immediately at the site of the Rhinos new home.

The Rochester Raging Rhinos professional soccer club, which plays it games in the A-League, hopes to begin play in PAETEC Park in the fall of 2004. "Today marks the culmination of the efforts of our state, county and city governments" said Rhinos President Frank DuRoss. "We are excited to get this project underway and look forward to making PAETEC Park our new home."

LeChase Construction Services, a locally based company, was selected by the Rhinos, in March of 2003, from a short list of five firms to manage the construction of PaeTec Park. LeChase has also been involved with the building of other Rochester-area projects such as Bausch and Lomb's world headquarters, the St. John Fisher Athletic Complex and the City of Rochester's Public Safety Building.

Phase I of the stadium construction will consist of 12,500 permanent lower bowl seats and 4,500 upper bowl bleacher-style seats. The initial phase of construction for PAETEC Park will include a $15 million grant from the State of New York (which was committed in 2000) and a private investment from the Rhinos in the form of commercial financing, a food concessionaire financial commitment and cash contribution from the Rhinos team.

The project will create 300-350 construction jobs and would generate approximately $600,000 in New York State taxes the first year.

In addition to the Rhinos, PAETEC Park will also be the home of the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse and host events such as Buffalo Bills controlled scrimmages, men's and women's high school and collegiate soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, women's professional soccer and high school and collegiate football. Drum and bugle competitions, community events, concerts, youth sporting events and outdoor shows will also be scheduled into the stadium.