Civic Stadium, Eugene’s 73-year-old baseball stadium, is causing financial distress for its owner, the Eugene 4J school district.
Three groups — Fred Meyer, Save Civic Stadium and the YMCA — are interested in purchasing the aging structure built under former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal.
“All three proposals are very earnest, and people care very deeply about them,” Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy said.
The proposal from the YMCA, which includes re-using the land to create gathering spaces and increase housing in Eugene by creating an off-campus student community, would replace the YMCA’s current 60-year-old building.
“I met my wife at Civic Stadium, so I consider it a local gem,” architect Eric Gundersen said. “However, there are many gems in our community, and I believe the Y is one of those.”
Gundersen said a partnership with University Housing would help raise money for the project, while also providing a lively, health-oriented, family-centered gathering place.
“All activities contribute to the health and well being of the citizens,” said Beth Bonamici, a research analyst at the University. “A new Y at Civic is an excellent option.”
Fred Meyer is hoping to tear down the old baseball stadium and build a Fred Meyer store at the site.
“We shouldn’t allow a Fred Meyer to go in there. That’s an utter disgrace to the voters in 1938,” Eugene resident Scott Bartlett said.
The majority of the 38 speakers at the city council public hearing agreed with Bartlett, while nobody spoke on behalf of the
retail supermarket.
Kathy Lynn, who lives across the street from Civic Stadium, said she is not actively involved with the proposal for Civic Stadium.
“I believe that the city should take the lead and buy or lease the stadium from 4J,” Lynn said.
Save Civic Stadium is a local group in support of restoring the historic stadium and finding new tenants for the facility to offset the costs of the stadium. The group plans to remodel the stadium and hopes to build a new east grandstand, improve the field, refurbish the historic
grandstand and open a multi-purpose indoor sports and recreation facility, a restaurant and a services building.
One of the proposed sports that would come into this new stadium is soccer.
“The need for families to play soccer in this community is immense,” said Jürgen Ruckaberle, Eugene Metro Fútbol Club director of coaching. “There is a large and vibrant soccer community out there.”
Ruckaberle cited the fact that some of the international events sold out with more than 2,000 people in attendance.
Pat Walsh, who attended the meeting on behalf of Northwest Christian University President Joseph Womack, said the school supports the idea of promoting a soccer team in Eugene.
“This would not only benefit teams and students at NCU, but the community as a whole,” Walsh said.
Beverly Smith, executive director of Eugene-based Kidsports, said the field would not only be used for adult soccer playing, but would also benefit the children and
families in the community.
“There are many children and many families who are looking for places to practice, to play, to be safe and to have fun,” she said.
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