Three years after a fire destroyed the wooden grandstand at Eugene’s Civic Stadium, a new recreation facility is rising from the ashes.
On Sunday afternoon, more than a hundred people showed up, many with their own shovels, to help break ground for the new civic park.
A group gathered around the former pitcher’s mound and dug through the top layer of grass and dirt to reveal the red clay underneath. It’s this type of hard work and community effort that’s helped raise about $23-million of the $35-million needed for Civic Park.
KIDSPORTS’ Executive Director Bev Smith says they’ve got enough money to start building phase one.
“Phase one will be the KIDSPORTS’ field house along with the turf field and the parking and amenities that make it functional and accessible. While phase two is being fundraised, we can still have activities on the turf field. i think it’s the best way to be great stewards of this community’s investment and get something up and running.”
Smith says the new community recreation center should be ready to open in about 18 months. It will have indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including space for basketball, soccer, rugby and ultimate Frisbee.
