I read with interest John Hammer’s analysis of the planned ‘renovation’ of Greensboro’s 83-year-old War Memorial Stadium.
It seems to me that Hammer doesn’t think the stadium should undergo some type of full-scale renovation as much as he thinks the city should just clean the damn place up and slap on a fresh coat of paint, which would cost a lot less than plan currently being floated, which would tear down a good portion of the stadium.
From my point of view, the renderings look pretty good. Then again, renderings always do. I dare say not many amateur baseball venues would feature classic arches like War Memorial Stadium. As for the dramatically reduced seating, I can’t imagine there will ever be amateur baseball played in War Memorial that will draw substantial crowds; the powers that be will direct such events to New Bridge Bank Park in order to justify that stadium’s status as driver of economic development.
Hammer floated a variation on David Hoggard’s suggestion earlier —- turn the stadium over to Greensboro Coliseum director Matt Brown and make it outdoor entertainment venue that Brown wants so bad for the Canada Dry property:
Brown, with limited money, has done far more to clean up the Canada Dry property in a few months than the Parks and Recreation Department has done for Memorial Stadium in five years. If Memorial Stadium were given to Brown to manage, he would find a way to fill it up. It might be with outdoor concerts. He might have an outdoor circus.
….There is $1.3 million available to fix up the stadium. Brown was going to build a brand new amphitheater for less than $500,000. With World War Memorial Stadium he would have much more to start with than a hole in the ground. There is no telling what he could do with $1.3 million and an 84-year-old stadium.
For starters, that idea just makes too much sense. Second, Greensboro’s leaders —– along with their media partners—- are going to do everything they can to make the amphitheater happen in order to justify the coliseum, which —yippee!—–didn’t lose as much money for the sixth year in row.