THE CHRONICLE

MONDAY, January 29, 2007

Not even good enough for mud

Group pursues $2.8M facelift for Avon Lake Memorial Stadium

James Rowell The Chronicle-Telegram AVON LAKE --- During Senior Night last fall, Avon Lake Memorial Stadium’s field was so soaked with mud and water that fall athletes, cheerleaders, marching band members, and their parents were all prevented from parading down the center of the field. The next day, the field’s conditions prevented the girls’ soccer team from hosting the district finals at their home stadium. The Avon Lake Stadium renovation Project refers to that wet weekend as the “Mud Bowl”. It is just one of many reason s behind the group’s plans to raise $2.8 million in funds for the stadium’s new repairs. Short of some minor cosmetic maintenance, Avon Lake Memorial Stadium has not been repaired since it was built in 1959. And the old field can’t stand water. “It affects everything from the football team’s plays to the marching band’s formations,” said Dave Dlugosz, co-chair of the renovation group. “Everyone avoids placing themselves in the middle of the field. The footing is slippery there. It’s just not safe.” The group plans to replace the old field with artificial turf. The new turf would drain itself, making it usable year round and more safe for the students. But the water soaked field isn’t the stadium’s only problem. Though the school’s population has more than

doubled since 1959, the stadium’s seating has never increased. As a result, the home side seats are often sold out weeks in advance. “The band’s parents, many of whom do not have season tickets, often have to sit on the visitor’s side,” said Laurie Schaeffer, Band Aids booster president and ALSRP committee member. “They have to get up and walk around when their sons and daughters come out to perform. Sometimes they have to push through the crowded standing section.” But the group plans to expand the stadium’s seating capacity from 2,800 to 6,000. This would allow for those who don’t have season tickets – like many parents of marching band members – to sit on the home side again. The project also plans to update the stadium’s restrooms and concession stands, allowing for fans to enjoy more than war soda and cold cocoa, and no longer forcing visiting fans to use old portable toilets. The new renovations also would serve to bring the stadium into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Though community members have been aware of the stadium's many needs for repair, complications in the schools’ funding process over the years have prevented the project from becoming fully realized. Six months ago, Dave Dlugosz and Dan Urbin, co-chairs of the project, realized it was time for a change. “The school is filled with fine

programs, it’s just that this facility is lacking,” “But we can’t assume the school will pay for it. We have to take this action as a community.” That’s why the project hopes top gain its $2.8 million entirely from private donations. They will not be using any school funding – and no tax money. So the group is asking community members, alumni, and business owners to donate money or in-kind services to the project. They are also looking for volunteers to help with the upcoming fundraisers. “It’s a gift not only from the community but for the community,” Schaeffer said. “The new renovations would not only be safer, they would allow for the stadium to host more events, and they would raise revenue for the schools and local businesses.” “More seats mean more tickets, increased sales and increased revenues – for the stadium, but also for local businesses,” Dlugosz said. The project committee is hoping to raise enough money to fund the new field by April 2007. That way, they could have artificial turf in time to avoid another “Mud Bowl” next fall. They plan to raise the additional money for the rest of the repairs by April 2008. For more information, call Dave Dlugosz of the Avon Lake High School’s Athletic Department at (440) 933-5164.