Marlins ballpark reveals disparity prevalent in vicinity of Havana - MLB Update
When recession was taking its toll on citizens and fiscal shortages had weakened already struggling neighbourhoods spread-out outside Marlins Park, $634 million was being spent on construction of the stadium. More precarious is a fact that bulk of the funds
was public money and thus will have its part in compounding financial problems that the city already faces in general.
A criticism that it was built largely at public expense is not entirely baseless. Considering a mere pittance Jeffrey Loria, franchise owner, contributed one can understand an extent to which public has been betrayed.
Proponents however believe that since construction of such a high profile ballpark was indispensable for the public themselves, there is no harm in this. They cite fans’ misery under unbearable heat in old ballpark and maintain how teams were affected as
a result of rain-prone nature of the weather there.
State-of-the-art retractable roof and sculpture they believe are source of rare amusement for residents.
A troubling disparity in standard of living was palpable when in the first game between two Major League teams, Miami Marlins and New York Yankees at ballpark, luxury cars were parked in the parking lot.
One of the citizens who once envisaged the place as future oasis for his kids lamented its existence, believing that amount spent on it will be paid by his kids and the fact they are going to benefit little from it in real terms, he was disheartened.
“It’s beautiful and it’s a good thing for Miami, a monument for the future,” he said. “But my children and grandchildren will be paying for this stadium for the rest of their lives.”
For him, the ballpark is another spot for the affluent at the detriment of poor.
Unemployment in the outskirts is rife and thus insurance of earning appears a far more pressing need there.
Home-run sculpture on which excessive expenses have been incurred may not have been made. After all, it has little relevance to game than watching actual strikes of homers by batters.
A glance at Marlins Park and then at the people in the vicinity reveal two altogether different worlds. In actuality, it also points to sheer nonchalance shown at the fate of public at-large during its construction.
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