Building the Memories - Lima Stadium Restoration Project On Saturday, July 11, 2009, the Lima Stadium fundraising committee kicked-off “Building the Memories” – The Lima Stadium Restoration Project at Lima Stadium. Co-Chairs of the committee are Jack Saine and long-time (1968 – 1986) LCC football coach Paul Greene. The campaign includes replacing the east grandstand, adding a locker room facility, and restoring the original west grandstand.Lima Stadium and the surrounding area have changed significantly in the past few years. In 2004, the new Lima Senior High School opened just to the west of the Ottawa River and now shares the same campus with Lima Stadium. In 2006, an artificial field surface was installed to allow many more events to be held at the stadium. In addition, to the east of Lima Stadium, and running in front of it along Bellefontaine Avenue, there are plans for a new city park. Lima Stadium is home to the Lima Senior Spartans and Lima Central Catholic T-birds. Both schools play Varsity, JV and Freshman football; boys and girls soccer, and track at Lima Stadium. Replace the East Grandstand Plans to replace the east grandstand include a state-of-the-art steel structure that will seat 2,700; ample concession stands; restrooms; handicapped seating with a wider concourse below; and a brick façade replicating the art deco style of the original west grandstand. Add a Locker Room A new locker room facility, with space for officials, offices and storage, will be built at the north end of the field. The current locker room, at Simmons Field, was purchased by the City of Lima for water storage purposes. The football team must vacate Simmons Field by 2010 and the facility at Lima Stadium is not large enough to accommodate the football team and related storage. Restore the West Grandstand The final phase of this community project is the restoration of the west grandstand. While constructed at the same time as the east grandstand, it is in much better condition and remains serviceable. Engineering reports indicate that restoration is feasible. The west grandstand will be returned to its original glory allowing Lima Stadium to retain its listing on the National Register of Historic Place (March 21, 2002). Donations Donations can be sent to the Lima Community Foundation, 101 N. Elizabeth St., P.O. Box 1086, Lima, OH 45802-1086. A link to print a Donor Card is at the bottom of this page. If your gift is $250 or more, you will receive a letter of appreciation and acknowledgement from the Lima Community Foundation stating that your gift was made to an IRS designated 501 (c)(3) for charitable deduction purposes. You may also contact the Lima Community Foundation about donations involving publicly traded securities, real estate and other appreciated assets. For information on naming opportunities, please contact James Offenbaker at 419-996-3050 or joffenbaker@limacityschools.org. Building plans are listed below in the order of importance and depend upon the generosity of the donors:
Costs East Grandstand $607,000 - basic structure and seating $625,000 - concession area $400,000 - restrooms $175,000 – concourse $439,000 - brick facade Locker Room Facility $400,000 History The stadium was built in 1936 through the Works Progress Administration. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Interior added the stadium to the National Register of Historic Places. |
Lima Stadium Donor Card
Stadium Committee Web site