(photo credit: meditativedishwashing.files.wordpress.com)This past week, I have had the privilege of being in contact with a group from Eugene, Oregon. Their group, Save Civic Stadium, is in a fierce battle to save their historic facility like we are with Roberts Stadium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_Stadium_(Eugene)
Civic Stadium is a baseball park located in Eugene, Oregon, United States, owned by the Eugene School District. It was the home of the Eugene Emeralds from 1969 to 2009. Prior to the departure of the Emeralds, Civic Stadium was one of the ten oldest minor-league baseball facilities in the United States. The stadium seats 6,800 people and is located near East 20th Avenue and Willamette Street in Eugene. The stadium currently serves as the home field of the South Eugene High School varsity baseball team.
The school district has designated it a surplus property, although the district has not made a decision on whether to sell the facility. As recently as 2007, the school district examined options to redevelop all or part of the stadium property, most likely as medium-density residential units. A local community group, Save Civic Stadium, has begun a grassroots community campaign in support of restoring the historic stadium, while also attempting to locate alternative tenants for the facility.
(photo credit: ballparkbiz.files.wordpress.com)For more information on the battle to save Civic Stadium, you can go to their website - http://www.savecivicstadium.org/ - and support them on facebook- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42179246597 I hope you will support their cause.
The first question the Save Civic Stadium group asked me was, " Can you give us a list of saved sports facilities?" I gave them a link from this site, but they brought up another good question " All of those facilities are in big cities like Houston, L.A, and Minneapolis but is it possible for small and mid-sized cities to afford to save their sports venues as well?"
I am sure many of you here in Evansville have thought that same question. Are their any precedents of small and mid-sized cities saving their sports venues? The answer to that question is YES, there are many sports facilities that are in small and mid-sized cities and are still being used in some capacity today even though they've been replaced.
To prove this to you, I have compiled a list of stadiums/ballparks and arenas that are either a sports facility in a small/mid-sized city or a small facility in a large city and have been replaced by a newer facility or have lost their original main tenant to another city.
Here is the list...
Stadiums/Ballparks
World War Memorial Stadium- Greensboro, NC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Memorial_Stadium
World War Memorial Stadium was dedicated on the 8th anniversary of Armistice Day, on November 11, 1926. At the time, there had of course only been the one World War.
The field was initially laid out with the diamond centered on the curved part of the "J", with short foul lines and a deep center field, like a very-scaled-down version of the Polo Grounds. Later the diamond was rotated clockwise and repositioned, and the field assumed a fairly normal shape except for right center, which was abnormally close due to the presence of a creek.
In order to put the city in a position to possibly upgrade to AA level ball, in the early 1990s the minor league club owners began lobbying for a new ballpark. Their efforts finally succeeded in the early 2000s, and the new First Horizon Park (now known as NewBridge Bank Park) opened just north of the downtown in the spring of 2005.
(North Carolina) A&T and also Greensboro College continue to use the stadium as their home field. It also continues to be used for other amateur baseball events.
Capital City Stadium- Columbia, SC
(photo credit: littleballparks.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_City_Stadium
Originally built in 1927, it is primarily used for baseball and was the home for more than 20 years of the Capital City Bombers. It is situated in the Olympia section, near the old Olympia mills.
While playing at "The Cap" the Bombers' enjoyed a rich history of success with numerous South Atlantic League Championships, including the memorable years of 1986, 1991 and 1998.
The stadium was rebuilt in 1991, but in 2005 lost its tenant, and is now used for college baseball by NCAA Division II Benedict College, and Coastal Plain League play by the new Columbia Blowfish in 2006.
Kiwanis Field- Salem, Virginia
(photo credit: ci.salem.va.us)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwanis_Field
Kiwanis Field is a stadium in Salem, Virginia which was opened in 1932. The ballpark has a capacity of 5,000 people and is primarily used for baseball. Kiwanis Field was the home of a Carolina League team known at various times as the Salem Rebels (which had previously played in the Appalachian League), Salem Pirates, Salem Redbirds, and Salem Buccaneers. The stadium has commanding views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, particularly Twelve O'clock Knob. Until the Salem Football Stadium opened in 1985, Kiwanis Field served as the home football field for Salem High School and its predecessor Andrew Lewis High School. The stadium was known as Salem Municipal Stadium prior to 1995. Kiwanis Field is currently used for high school, American Legion, and Roanoke College baseball games.
San Jose Municipal Stadium- San Jose, CA
(photo credit: littleballparks.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_Municipal_Stadium
San Jose Municipal Stadium was built in 1941-42 as a WPA project at a cost of $80,000. It was one of the first stadiums to be built entirely of reinforced concrete and opened in 1942. The first game featured the San Francisco Seals as the home team..
The outfield walls are lined with advertisements much like the stadiums of the 1920s and 30s were.
The stadium is also home to the San Jose State University Spartans college baseball team for some regular season games. The local high school baseball divisions also use Municipal Stadium as their championship field. The stadium also hosts concerts, weddings, dog shows, and many other local events. In the past Muni Stadium has been the home field for the San Jose Missions, the San Jose Bees, and the San Jose Expos
Sam Lynn Ballpark- Bakersfield, CA
(photo credit: minorleaguebaseball.com )http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Lynn_Ballpark
Sam Lynn Ballpark (also known as "Historic" Sam Lynn Ballpark) is a baseball venue located in Bakersfield, California and is the oldest ballpark of the Class-A Advanced California League. It was built in 1941 for the Bakersfield Badgers who began that season as a charter member of the California League. The current tenant is called the Bakersfield Blaze and is affiliated with the National League's Cincinnati Reds.
It is one of two ballparks in organized professional baseball where the batter faces west, and as such, faces directly into the setting sun. This forces the Blaze to start most games later than any team in professional ball. From mid-June to mid-August, it's not unusual for games to begin as late as 7:58 PM.
Christensen Stadium- Midland, TX
(photo credit: http://mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks/stadiums/ )http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christensen_Stadium
Christensen Stadium is a stadium in Midland, Texas. It has been used for baseball and was home of the Midland RockHounds until they moved to Citibank Ballpark in 2002. The ballpark has a capacity of 4,000 people and opened in 1952. It was previously known as Angels Stadium and Cubs Stadium when the park hosted AA teams for those franchises. Today Christensen Stadium is used for amateur games at the college and high school levels.
Greenville Municipal Stadium- Greenville, SC
(photo credit: Urban-photos.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenville_Municipal_Stadium
Greenville Municipal Stadium is a stadium in Greenville, South Carolina that was built in 1984 and holds 7,048 people. It is primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Greenville Bombers minor league baseball team prior to West End Field opening in 2006. It was also home to the Greenville Braves prior to them moving to Pearl, Mississippi after the 2004 season.
Now, plans are underway to renovate it-
http://greenvillerec.com/2010/07/09/municipal-stadium-renovations-begin-july-14/
http://greenvillerec.com/parks/3/municipal-stadium/
Terry Park Ballfield- Fort Myers, FL
(photo credit: stadiumpostcards.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Park_Ballfield
The Terry Park Ballfield (also known as the Park T. Pigott Memorial Stadium) is a historic site in Fort Myers, Florida, United States. The park is named after the family that donated the land in the 1920s. For years the stadium has hosted Major League Baseball spring training as well as a dozen years of Florida State League baseball. The stadium has hosted the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals spring training needs throughout the years
After the Royals left Fort Myers, a new spring training team was never fielded at the stadium. Two new stadiums were built in Fort Myers, Hammond Stadium was built for the Minnesota Twins and City of Palms Park was built for the Boston Red Sox. The last professional baseball team to call Terry Park home was the Fort Myers Sun Sox of the short lived Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and 1990.
Today, over 160 college baseball teams from around the country use Terry Park in the month of March to begin their college season. The park is currently part of a multi-diamond facility serving various amateur levels of baseball. The facility now sees year-round amateur baseball use. Terry Park is used year round for baseball leagues, tournaments and special events.
Beehive Field- New Britain, CT
(photo credit: wikipedia.org)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beehive_Field
Beehive Field is a stadium in New Britain, Connecticut. It is primarily used for baseball and was the home of the New Britain Red Sox (Boston Red Sox AA affiliate) from the time of their move to the city in 1983 until the parent club moved the affiliate to Trenton, New Jersey for the 1995 season. Beehive Field was also the home of the New Britain Rock Cats (Minnesota Twins AA affiliate) for the 1995 season, before the opening of New Britain Stadium (next door) in 1996. Beehive Field is now used primarily by New Britain High School baseball and softball teams.
Drillers Stadium- Tulsa, OK
(photo credit: api.ning.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drillers_Stadium
Opened in 1981, Drillers Stadium, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA is a minor league baseball stadium, located in the Tulsa metropolitan area. From 1981 to 2009, Drillers Stadium was home to the Tulsa Drillers, a minor league baseball team which plays in the Texas League. Drillers Stadium has also hosted one of the three regular season baseball games played between Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma each year in the Bedlam Series.
Though it has primarily served as a baseball stadium, monster truck rallies and concerts can be held here. On December 19, 2008, construction began on a new ballpark in downtown Tulsa, ONEOK Field, which replaced Drillers Stadium before the 2010 baseball season.
Good news though, baseball has come back to Drillers Stadium...
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=408&articleid=20110324_16_A9_Baseba18403
Tinker Field- Orlando, FL
(photo credit: orlandovenues.net)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker_Field
Tinker Field is a stadium in Orlando, Florida. It is primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Orlando Rays minor league baseball team before they moved to The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports in 2000. It is located directly adjacent to the western side of the Citrus Bowl, at 1610 West Church Street, and holds 5,100 people.
The stadium was built in 1914, and is named after baseball Hall of Famer, Joe Tinker. On May 14, 2004, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins used Tinker Field as their spring training home until after the 1990 season.
Tinker Field may be refurbished or redeveloped possibly as part of the refurbishment of the Citrus Bowl. Although some plans for "Downtown Master Plan 3", a redevelopment plan for that section of Orlando, suggest tearing down Tinker Field, such plans would prove difficult given its status on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bosse Field- Right Here In Good Ole Evansville, IN
(photo credit: mysite.verizon.net/charliesballparks)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosse_Field
Bosse Field, is a baseball stadium located in Evansville, Indiana. Built in 1915, it is the third oldest ballpark used for professional baseball on a regular basis in the country, surpassed only by Fenway Park (1912) in Boston and Wrigley Field (1914) in Chicago.
It is the current home of the Frontier League Evansville Otters, a minor league baseball team. The Otters franchise came to Evansville in 1995 and have attracted a record number of fans for the league. In 2006 the Otters won the Frontier League title.
In 1991 the historic stadium was used by Columbia Pictures for game scenes in the movie A League of Their Own.
Arenas
Alumni Gymnasium- University of Kentucky- Lexington, KY
(photo credit: uky.edu)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alumni_Gymnasium_(University_of_Kentucky)
Alumni Gymnasium is a building on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Kentucky. When it opened in 1924, replacing Alumni Hall (now known as Barker Hall and Buell Armory), it was a 2,800 seat multi-purpose arena, serving as home to the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. It was replaced when the Memorial Coliseum opened in 1950. The building is now a student recreation facility, and is frequently used for recreational and intramural basketball. It is also the current home to the University of Kentucky Club Dodgeball team.
Memorial Coliseum- University of Kentucky- Lexington, KY
(photo credit: uky.edu)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Coliseum_(University_of_Kentucky)
Memorial Coliseum is an 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The facility, which opened in 1950, is home to three women's teams at the University of Kentucky—basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Before Rupp Arena opened in 1976, it also housed the men's basketball team, and continued to house the university's swimming and diving team as well until the completion of the Lancaster Aquatics Center in 1989.
The building is known for its air of great tradition. While it was the home of the UK Men's Basketball team, it hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament ten times, four times as a regional site (1957, 1958, 1967, 1968) and six more as a sub-regional site (1955, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1967, 1975). As home to the University of Kentucky Wildcats, it saw 2 NCAA Men's Basketball national championship teams (1951, 1958), 2 NCAA Men's Basketball runner-up teams (1966, 1975), one NIT Men's Basketball champion (1976), and 16 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Men's Basketball regular season champions. Overall, in 26 seasons (1950-51 to 1975-76), the University of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team posted a remarkable home record of 306-38 (.890).
Bynum Gymnasium- University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, NC
(wikipedia)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bynum_Gymnasium
Bynum Gymnasium (now Bynum Hall) was the first home of North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball. It was built in 1904 as a general gymnasium and swimming pool, and hosted the basketball team for the first fourteen years of its existence (1910–24). The most distinctive feature of the gymnasium was its second level running track suspended above the court. No longer needed for its original purpose after Woollen Gymnasium was built, the building was remodeled internally as offices and renamed Bynum Hall. As of 2008, it is the Graduate Admissions Office.
Woollen Gymnasium- University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, NC
(photo credit: museum.unc.edu)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woollen_Gymnasium
Woollen Gymnasium was the home of the University of North Carolina's physical education classes from 1937 and the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball from early 1938. The Gymnasium was named after Charles T. Woollen, Class of 1905. The Tar Heels played there until Carmichael Auditorium was built in 1965 as an annex which shares the Gymnasium's eastern wall. North Carolina won the 1957 national championship while playing there.
The Gymnasium is still in use today, hosting classes and intramural events, as well as providing room for the Roy Williams Basketball Camp in the summer. The old section numbers and ticket windows are still visible.
Carmichael Auditorium- University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, NC
(photo credit: wn.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmichael_Arena
The arena opened in 1965 as Carmichael Auditorium. It is named for William Donald Carmichael, Jr., a popular former school vice-president and brother of All-America basketball player Cartwright Carmichael. Although it was apparent by the early 1960s that the men's basketball team needed a new home to replace old Woollen Gymnasium, the state refused to fund a completely new arena. As a result, Carmichael was built as an annex to Woollen; it shares the older facility's eastern wall.
Carmichael was known as one of the loudest arenas in the country while the Tar Heel men played there, largely because of a low roof and a student section that ringed the court. During a 1982 game against the Virginia Cavaliers, it was so loud that the Virginia players could not even hear their own names being announced prior to the start of the game. In part due to this formidable home court advantage, the men had a record of 169-20 (.894) in just over 20 seasons there.
Recently, Carmichael Auditorium was renovated...
http://www.wralsportsfan.com/rs/story/3487589/
Wisconsin Field House- Madison, WI
(photo credit: bigtenfever.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Field_House
The Wisconsin Field House (commonly known as the UW Fieldhouse) is an 11,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Madison, Wisconsin, directly south of and abutting Camp Randall Stadium. Designed by Wisconsin State Architect Arthur Peabody in consultation with Paul Cret of the firm of Laird and Cret, the arena opened in 1930. It was home to the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team before it moved to Kohl Center; currently the building is used by the volleyball and wrestling teams.
Prior to occupying the Field House, the Badger men's basketball team played their games in the Red Gym. The Wisconsin volleyball team got its first-ever sellout on October 21, 2007, to watch the Badgers play No. 1 Penn State. The "W" crest at the top of the Field House is the official emblem of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The Field House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Pepsi Coliseum- Indianapolis, Indiana
(photo credit: songkick.com)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepsi_Coliseum
Pepsi Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fair Coliseum) is an 8,200-seat multi-purpose arena, in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was formerly known as the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. The current arena was built in 1939, replacing a previous coliseum that was built in 1907. It is located at the Indiana State Fair fairgrounds and is used for the state fair, as well as year round for various sporting events and other events.
The arena was once home to the Indiana Pacers of the ABA (American Basketball Association), from 1967 to 1974. They moved into Market Square Arena in 1974, and in 1976, the Indiana Pacers became a franchise within the NBA (National Basketball Association).
The Indianapolis Checkers (IHL) played at the Pepsi Coliseum winning back to back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983. As of 1982, the Pepsi Coliseum has been home to the 2004, 2005, and now 2009 Indiana State Champion high school hockey team, the North Central Panthers. As of 2005, it is home to the Indiana Ice ice hockey team. As of 2010, it is home to the Naptown Roller Girls roller derby team.
Now, city officials are discussing renovating the Pepsi Coliseum...
http://www.ibj.com/fairgrounds-officials-consider-pepsi-coliseum-overhaul/PARAMS/article/26572
Unlike city officials here in Evansville, Indianapolis understands that an old venue will not compete with a new one. From the article above...
Hoye said the renovation would make the facility more flexible and might attract more events, but she quickly dispelled the notion it would threaten the city-owned 18,145-seat Conseco Fieldhouse.
“We’re not going to get into competition with Conseco Fieldhouse,” Hoye said. “This is not a matter of getting bigger. It’s just a matter of preserving what we have. We want to be functional, but not a Taj Mahal. We could pick up a few events, but this is mostly about catering to our current customers.”
Omaha Civic Auditorium- Omaha, NE
(photo credit: Merchantcircle.com)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha_Civic_Auditorium
The Omaha Civic Auditorium is a multi-purpose convention center in Omaha, Nebraska. Opened in 1954, it surpassed the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum as the largest convention/entertainment complex in the city, until the completion of Qwest Center Omaha in 2003.
In the past, the arena was home to the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team, the Creighton women's basketball and volleyball teams, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey team.
The arena was the site of the Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament title game in 1978 and 1981. It was also the site of the seventh WWF In Your House pay-per-view in 1996.
Today, it is home to the Omaha Beef indoor football team. It is also used for trade shows, concerts, smaller conventions, and local graduations. On 5 February 2009, the Junior-A United States Hockey League announced on its website that the Omaha Lancers franchise would be moving to the Civic Auditorium from the Mid-America Center across the river in Council Bluffs.
It was announced on August 18, 2010 that the MISL is expanding into Omaha starting with the 2010-11 season. The team, tentatively called Omaha Vipers, will play at the Civic Auditorium.
Hammons Student Center- Missouri State University- Springfield, MO
(photo credit: flickr.com/kielman316)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammons_Student_Center
The Hammons Student Center is an 8,846 seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. It was built in 1976, and is the home of the Missouri State Bears. The arena was replaced by the JQH Arena in 2008.
http://www.missouristate.edu/hsc/
HSC is the largest indoor facility in southwest Missouri, and it has been home to Missouri State athletics since the 1976-77 season. With a seating capacity of 8,846, HSC hosts Missouri State basketball, volleyball, swimming events, concerts and community events. In addition, HSC contains athletics and building administration offices, as well as offices for coaches, a lounge area and large varsity locker rooms. HSC is available for recreational use by Missouri State University students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Veterans Memorial Auditorium- Des Moines, IA
(photo credit: cardcow.com)Veterans Memorial Auditorium is an arena in Des Moines, Iowa, that is part of the Iowa Events Center complex. It opened on February 1, 1955, and was named to honor the World War II veterans of Polk County. It has 7,227 permanent seats, with the capacity to add an additional 4,000 seats for concerts and an additional 7,500 bleacher seats for basketball games. Vets also features 44,972 square feet of exhibition space at its main arena and an additional 50,806 square feet at its exhibition hall.
Prior to the opening of Wells Fargo Arena, Vets Auditorium had served as the primary venue of sporting events and concerts in the Des Moines area for many years; this was also the site of the January 20, 1982 concert, where Ozzy Osbourne bit the head off a bat. World Wrestling Entertainment also broadcast their WWE Raw program from the venue. The Vets was also the longtime home of the Iowa state high school basketball and wrestling tournaments until 2005. Vets Auditorium also hosted Drake University basketball games until 1992, when the Knapp Center opened, and the Des Moines Dragons professional basketball team from 1997 to 2001. In recent years, however, Vets began to show its age as newer and larger arenas were opening in other cities. The Barnstormers moved out because of the inadequacy of "The Barn" (as Vets was known during their games) and concert promoters began to bypass Des Moines for other cities.
Vets Auditorium was modernized as part of the Iowa Events Center work. It continues to be used for smaller arena events and exhibitions. The Des Moines skywalk system connects Vets with Wells Fargo Arena, Hy-Vee Hall, and the Polk County Convention Complex.
Drake Fieldhouse- Drake University- Des Moines, IA
(photo credit: http://216.130.184.244/wordpress/ )The Drake Fieldhouse, built in 1926 as a companion to Drake's football stadium. It is the location for the athletic department offices. An indoor track, a tartan court area, as well as equipment and locker rooms is located inside it as well. It formerly was the home for Drake Bulldogs men's basketball until the move to Veterans Memorial Auditorium. The first basketball game was played on January 4, 1927. The last regularly scheduled game was played during the 1961-62 school year. The last men's basketball game to be played there was on February 28, 1987.
Last year, it was announced that Drake Fieldhouse would be getting a renovation...
http://216.130.184.244/wordpress/2010/12/02/fieldhouse-to-receive-makeover/
McArthur Court- Right in Save Civic Stadium's backyard- Eugene, OR- University of Oregon
(photo credit: rushthecourt.net)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McArthur_Court
McArthur Court is a basketball arena located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene and the former home of the Oregon Ducks men's and women's basketball teams, replaced in 2011 by Matthew Knight Arena.
Also known as "The Pit" or "Mac Court," it was known as one of the toughest arenas in the country for opposing players to play in. The arena is named for Clifton N. (Pat) McArthur, U. S. Congressman and Oregon student-athlete and the school's first student body president.
Its unique and antiquated structure has the fans on top of the court. The maple floor bounces under the weight of the student section that surrounds the court. In 2001 Sporting News named it "best gym in America". For its history, character, and atmosphere, sports writer and arena researcher Bill Kintner named McArthur Court in his top five of college basketball arenas in America. He notes that McArthur Court "is a building that will give you chills even if there is no game being played."
Right now, McArthur Court is safe, but it faces an uncertain future down the road...
http://special.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/25726850-41/court-mac-weiler-space-basketball.csp
As reported earlier, the Carolina Coliseum is hanging on by a thread as well...
http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/01/600-miles-away-columbia-sc-struggles.html
All across the country, cities and towns of all sizes are stepping up to the plate to save their historic sports venues. Let's add Civic Stadium and Roberts Stadium to that list!
(photo credit: waymarking.com)
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