WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester City Council approves a loan order partially covering cost overruns in the construction of Polar Park.

The councilors voted unanimously to advertise a loan order to help cover $14 million of the $17 million cost overruns.

The overruns are from unforeseen changes because of the pandemic and other issues. 

City councilor George Russell says in short the Worcester Red Sox have agreed to pick up the tab for any overruns. 

Russell said, “The City has renegotiated the lease with them to a certain point where the City goes and OKs the bond which are basically mortgages or loans. And by approving the bonds, the payments that will be due as well as the payments to get the bonds and all the related costs will be absorbed by the Worcester Red Sox over the terms of the bond."

Russell says the WooSox say they will pay for this by increasing the facility fee on ticket prices.

He says the next step is the Economic Development committee will have a hearing and get some of the details asked for during the Council meeting. 

Image credit: Worcester Red Sox/Facebook