Central stadium idea draws lots of fans

Envisioned is a privately funded, 8,000-seat, $5.5 million stadium.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- All involved seem to agree a new, central stadium for the city's two remaining high schools is a good idea.
Deciding where, when and how comes next.
An array of city and school district officials and proponents led by retired NFL player Michael Zordich gathered Wednesday to hash over the possibilities.
"I'm asking for everybody to pitch in and get this done," said Zordich, a Chaney High School graduate.
The conclusion was that a feasibility study is needed to figure out the particulars for a Chaney-East High stadium.
David Bozanich, city finance director, suggested the council and school board split the study's cost. The school board would know best what the stadium should be, he said. Meanwhile, the city has an interest in seeing such a project develop downtown, he said.
Arena site
One idea for where to place the stadium is next to the downtown arena site.
Ray Jaminet, an architect and head of the Chaney Gridiron Club, created a drawing of a $5.5 million, 8,000-seat stadium and track set along the Market Street Bridge.
The site may not be feasible, however.
The city is talking about spinoff development from the arena, Bozanich said. Possible development includes a park, riverwalk and amphitheater that could preclude a stadium, he said.
"There's a whole bunch of issues to be considered," Bozanich said.
There would be a certain synergy between the arena and a neighboring stadium, however, said Jeffrey L. Chagnot, city development director.
A stadium downtown fits the Youngstown 2010 plan for focusing arts and entertainment there, said Jay Williams, director of the city Community Development Agency. Whether the arena site is the best one or not is an open question, he said.
Raising funds
Early last year, Zordich proposed a private fund-raising campaign to build stadiums at Chaney and the new East High to coincide with construction projects at each.
Zordich, now a businessman who played 12 seasons in the NFL, suggested 5,000- to 7,000-seat stadiums with artificial turf that could be used for football, soccer and baseball. Concerns about lack of space and putting the buildings near residential areas scuttled that idea, however.
The central stadium idea emerged from that.
Supporters need to seize this moment in time with the new school construction and renovation projects under way, said Carol Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th, who has worked with Zordich on the idea.
"We have to keep the momentum moving," she said.
Zordich is convinced that the nonprofit group created to build the stadium can raise the necessary money.
Such a stadium would give each school a space of their own. They lack that now in playing their home games at Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium, he said. "We want to make it a special place," Zordich added.
rgsmith@vindy.com