By RITA FERRANDINO
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — Diamond Tee Sports Park owner Ross Valenza, said last week his plans to build a youth baseball camp are still proceeding despite the withdrawal of financial support from former partner Victor Alfieri.

The two presented their plans to the Springfield planning board shortly after the town adopted a site plan review law on December 18 of last year. From the beginning, it was a rocky road and talk of a legal battle ensued shortly thereafter when Valenza's attorney notified the town that his client might sue because he didn't think his project was subject to the new law.

Valenza said that he still holds firm to his position.

"He (Alfieri) pulled out for private reasons," Valenza said.

Alfieri, a Rockland attorney who calls Cooperstown his second home, first went public with his plans last October. He said that he runs a baseball camp in Rockland County, the proceeds from which are donated to charity.

At that time Alfieri said, "I want to make a contribution to the local community and economy, not to construct an eyesore." He commented that his primary concern was to give the children who participated an experience that they could carry with them for the rest of their lives.

"I want this to be harmonious with the land and the people," Alfieri said. In October, he said that he was working with engineers to meet safety and aesthetic concerns. He also commented at the time that he hadn't met with any opposition from Springfield officials and residents.

But the tune quickly changed once the site plan review was enacted, and the planning board's first order of business became the acquisition of financial proof that the camp had or had not been substantially commenced, a loophole in the law that would grandfather the project. Valenza has yet to provide the board with such information, according to board chairman Jim Willsey, despite the board having mailed him a request for it.

In April of this year, during a discussion at a Springfield planning board meeting, Valenza stated that he has spent $570,000 to date on the project. He also said that a motel he plans to construct and the camp are one and the same project, to which Willsey responded, "I'm not sure I buy that."

According to Willsey, because there is no town code enforcement officer, Dave West does the job. He's the Otsego County codes enforcement officer and he said that Valenza does have a permit for the motel and can begin construction.

"It's Springfield's baby," said West in April. "They could ask us to revoke the permit, but I'd have to review it."

Valenza said then that he didn't want to present a case to the board and get shot down.

"If that happens, we'll wind up in court," he said at the time.

He echoed those sentiments when he said last week, "the courts will probably have to make the decision at some point."

"I'm still looking for another investor," Valenza said. "I'm planning to start construction in the fall if I can. I stand the same way I stood before. I don't feel that we're subject that that law."