Roughly 15 protesters stood outside Hayward Field in Eugene this hot afternoon. They’re decrying the University of Oregon’s demolition of the East Grandstand. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.
Not much stands in the way of the facility’s demolition. Even as members of the group, Save Hayward Magic, held up signs and made speeches blaming Nike’s corporate pressure, work crews were laying out fence around the site’s perimeter and other prep work.
Local activist Aloha Heart says two of her three kids are U of O alumni. She’s imploring the university to keep the East Grandstand.
“It is a precious place, all the history, all the energy," Heart tells KLCC.
"And people all over this world know about Hayward Field, it’s been in the news because of all the amazing events that have happened here.”
A U of O spokesman says the Hayward Field sign, bench seats, and other parts of the 93-year-old structure will be put into a museum housed inside a new, 200-million-dollar stadium.
Major donors are Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and his wife, Penny.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.