Ball_outdoor

Jeff Green | Feb 09, 2006

Feature Article

Ball Outdoor stays open

Late last week things looked pretty bleak at Ball Outdoor Sales on Road 38 in Godfrey. Large transport trucks were loading up new boats and ATVs from the lot in front of the busy snowmobile, ATV, boat and chainsaw dealership. A finance company had claimed back all of the merchandise and the business seemed to be gone.

However, Lloyd Lee and Doug Brown, the former owners of Ball Outdoor Sales, are involved in talks with the bank to try to avoid the business closing.

Lee and Brown owned Ball Outdoor Sales for 11 years before selling it two years ago. Since that time Doug Brown has remained with the business as an employee. Lee and Brown also count themselves among the creditors of the business.

“We have received a lot of support through phone calls and people stopping by in the past few days. Everyone is telling us how important this business is to Central Frontenac and is wishing us well in keeping it going. Since we have a good record with suppliers, such as Arctic Cat and Lund , they have said they would work with us in any way possible.”

Used boats, ATVs and Snowmobiles remain available, as well as new and used chainsaws.

The service department has remained open throughout the tumult, and Brown said that Ball Outdoor Sales will maintain a small staff for the time being.

“We will be running winter hours, 8-5 weekdays, and 8-12 on Saturdays for t