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WHAS11 Investigates: How clean are Louisville concession stands?

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by Rachel Nix

Posted on November 14, 2009 at 5:41 AM

Updated Saturday, Nov 14 at 5:46 AM

Centerplate executives made a special trip to Indianapolis this week to address serious health violations there, mainly a rodent infestation at Lucas Oil Stadium.

When we checked Centerplate's health records in Louisville, we found more problems.

The company is addressing the issues but the CEO basically told us, it happens. Actually, Louisville Health Department inspectors have found problems in the past year with centerplate the massive company that runs concession stands at places like Freedom Hall, Slugger Field, and the Kentucky Expo Center.

They have a history of violations even the company's CEO admitted it when we talked to him on the phone.

"We operate hundreds of concession stands in most locations. There are going to be issues that surface," said Desmond Hague, CEO.

Take Freedom Hall, one concession stand got a "C" on two out of three inspections with problems like dirty floors and even leaking sewage! Some say these grades make it a whole different ballgame.

At Slugger Field, Centerplate's concessions there also got a "C" last month for storing food on the floor, workers not using gloves, and using dirty cloths to clean.

Over at the Expo Center, Centerplate earned a "B" even though the facility had what inspectors called a roach infestation twice on back-to-back visits.

And when we asked centerplate's CEO about that?

"I think we have to put it into context again, Chase. We identify issues. Think about it. We're in the Wild West at times and we have lots of opportunities for rodents and pesticide issues to crop up in every facility," said Hague.

The company's CEO says they do respond to changes.

In fact, he says, now, all their facilities have grades of "95" or better. Although, not every facility has an "A" because health inspectors won't always give an "A" if they found problems before.

Centerplate also runs concessions at the Kentucky Convention Center and the fairgrounds.

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