World War Memorial Stadium on Yanceyville Street in
the eastern part of Greensboro, N.C. still has no set future. The War Memorial
Task Force, a special committee introduced by former mayor Keith Holiday in
2004, still has not come up with a plan for the 86-year-old stadium. However,
there are small changes happening around the historic venue that some people
wondering if this could signal more moves in the near future.The stadium is a registered historic place and it has seen much more than baseball games. It has held football games and has been seen in multiple movies, including “Bull Durham,” and “Leatherheads.”
In January, the playing field was laser-graded. Laser grading is a type of maintenance that uses laser technology to flatten the ground. This was needed because of the lack of proper field care since the Greensboro Bats, a Minor League Baseball team, left after the 2005 season. Humps and hills could be seen on the playing field that is supposed to be completely flat. Also, the netting behind home plate was replaced. The old netting had gaping holes that foul balls could easily pass through and enter the seats.
So far in February, the foul poles have been re-painted and straightened. The right field foul pole clearly leaned to the right and away from the field. Both of the foul poles were rusty and had paint chips from top to bottom.
Also during this month, the batters’ eye was replaced. The batters’ eye
is the large dark-colored screen that stands behind the center field fence.
This aids the batter in seeing the baseball when trying to hit. The old
batters’ eye was completely torn apart, being more of a distraction than a
help. “We really need major renovations. The ones that we’ve gotten so far are
nice, but in order to be compared to other D1 schools’ baseball fields, we’ve
got a long way to go. We really can’t even call this our stadium because the
school doesn’t own it,” said Austin Love, NC A&T assistant baseball coach.
Each of these changes only affected the actually playing field. The part of War Memorial that is really in question is the crumbling infrastructure. A renovation is necessary sooner. If it does not happen, then there will be no other choice than to demolish much of the stadium.
According to the Greensboro News-Record, the War Memorial Stadium Task Force has had more than 300 meetings since being assigned to this project, yet the economic strains and lack of a widely accepted plan have gone nowhere. There is $1.3 million set aside for renovating the stadium, and the City of Greensboro has been in communication with North Carolina A&T State University about leasing or buying the stadium. Earl Hilton, athletic director at NC A&T, has been contacted about the purchase of the stadium, but nothing has been done yet.
War Memorial is home to NC A&T’s home baseball games and the Aggie baseball team also uses the field for practice. This makes logical sense for NC A&T to either purchase the field or become more financially invested in it. Greensboro College, tournaments, and youth and adult leagues also play games at War Memorial.
A city council meeting was held on April 2 to vote on the current proposition. This plan is a demolition of the entire stadium except for the entrance which is also a memorial to the Greensboro natives who fought in World War I. Metal bleachers that would sit approximately 500 people would be put up. City council members decided to put a 90 day extension in order to receive more information on a possible restoration, rather than a demolition according to NC A&T head baseball coach Joel Sanchez who was in attendance at the council meeting.
Other than considering NC A&T, the City of Greensboro can pursue federal
stimulus money, receive private and public donations toward the project, and
partner with other foundations. Each of these sources of money are needed if a
full renovation is to be done and not just a demolition.
Mayor Robbie Perkins and District 2 Councilman Jim Key were contacted, however, neither accepted an interview.
Each of these changes only affected the actually playing field. The part of War Memorial that is really in question is the crumbling infrastructure. A renovation is necessary sooner. If it does not happen, then there will be no other choice than to demolish much of the stadium.
According to the Greensboro News-Record, the War Memorial Stadium Task Force has had more than 300 meetings since being assigned to this project, yet the economic strains and lack of a widely accepted plan have gone nowhere. There is $1.3 million set aside for renovating the stadium, and the City of Greensboro has been in communication with North Carolina A&T State University about leasing or buying the stadium. Earl Hilton, athletic director at NC A&T, has been contacted about the purchase of the stadium, but nothing has been done yet.
War Memorial is home to NC A&T’s home baseball games and the Aggie baseball team also uses the field for practice. This makes logical sense for NC A&T to either purchase the field or become more financially invested in it. Greensboro College, tournaments, and youth and adult leagues also play games at War Memorial.
A city council meeting was held on April 2 to vote on the current proposition. This plan is a demolition of the entire stadium except for the entrance which is also a memorial to the Greensboro natives who fought in World War I. Metal bleachers that would sit approximately 500 people would be put up. City council members decided to put a 90 day extension in order to receive more information on a possible restoration, rather than a demolition according to NC A&T head baseball coach Joel Sanchez who was in attendance at the council meeting.
Other than considering NC A&T, the City of Greensboro can pursue federal
stimulus money, receive private and public donations toward the project, and
partner with other foundations. Each of these sources of money are needed if a
full renovation is to be done and not just a demolition.Mayor Robbie Perkins and District 2 Councilman Jim Key were contacted, however, neither accepted an interview.
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