Wednesday, March 9, 2005
The stadium also would include an all-weather track.
LISBON -- Local residents are being asked to consider a revised concept for War Memorial Stadium after village residents soundly rejected a levy for stadium renovations last November.
Local residents Ed Browne and Tad Rose presented what they called a "dream" for the stadium and an all-weather track surrounding it. Monday's presentation drew nearly 40 people to the media center at David Anderson Junior/Senior High School.
A concept drawing was passed out to those in attendance to get community feedback. Another meeting will be held to determine interest and whether to proceed.
Proposed changes
The stadium shows a different configuration than had been previously proposed. A concept drawing shows the football field with an east-to-west orientation, rather than the present north-south field.
Around the football field would be an eight-lane all-weather track, with a high-jump area at the west end zone. The discus and shotput areas also would be located at the west end of the stadium.
The current grandstands would be moved from the west to the north side of the stadium with restrooms and concession stands upgraded.
The south side of the stadium would have a retaining wall, and between the wall and Pine Street would be 166 parking spaces.
Locker rooms could be located under the grandstands, or a separate building could be constructed in the northeast area of the stadium, Rose said.
The east-west layout of the football field would eliminate the practice field area, as well as some of the parking.
Without a practice field, the regular field would have artificial turf installed so the field could be utilized for practices as well as games.
The biggest obstacle for the project would be relocating the stadium lights because they are encased in about 10 feet of concrete, Rose said.
Under the plan, the district would need to get an alley vacated and acquire one property, Rose said.
Rose said the plan was a "dream" and it would take "abnormal people to make the dream go."
If the community shows interest in pursuing the concept, the next step would be to gather cost estimates, Rose said.
Remembering all veterans
School board member Robert Ashton noted that the stadium was built by the village and community as "War Memorial Stadium" as a tribute to the veterans of World War I and II.
Ashton noted there have been other residents who have fought and died in wars and police actions since the stadium was built in 1946 and that they also should be remembered as ones who gave us our freedom. He said perhaps a new stadium project could re-energize everyone as to what freedom means.