Lockhart Stadium could be demolished

[wufc]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-fortlaudstad07sep07,0,6970193.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

The proposed $37 million Community Sports Park and Recreational Complex, presented to city commissioners, would transform the 45-year-old stadium and level neighboring Lockhart Stadium.

God, this would really suck. I really hope Ray Hudson and his group can secure this place before this plan gets approved. Hopefully this guy's words can be listened to.

"Lockhart meets our needs," said Damian Huttenhoff, school board director of student activities and athletics. "Can a baseball stadium be used for football? It can, but it's a baseball field."

[SoccerPrime]

Yeah not good. I'll look into it and report back when I hear from the Striker guys.

[SoccerPrime]

Bye-bye Lockhart, hello Orioles. :(
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/media/photo/2006-09/25263019.jpg

[P1brit]

Doesn't either FAU or FIU use lockhart as there home football stadium?

That baseball stadium looks nice, isn't there room on site for both? The rec diamonds seem pointless if they are at the expense of Lockheart. A rec field can be anywhere, stadiums are hard to come by.

[wufc]

FAU uses it as their home stadium, and although they've looking to build a new stadium, it's been years and little progress has been made. They apparently want to build a 40,000 seater dome (their average attendance is about 13,000) and they don't want to pay for all of it.

[dfffd61]

It seems to me that for $37 million they could probably build an entirely new facility somewhere else in the area.

[JRedknapp11]

I wouldn't say Lockhart is dead just yet. The NY Mets operate one of the finest minor league stadiums in all of North America, Tradition Field. They are now actively seeking another tenant to share their ball park with...Orioles are one of those clubs, along with the Cards and the Tribe.

[wufc]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_county/15560034.htm

Looks like the beginning of the end for Lockhart.

[SoccerPrime]

Yes it does look that way. Too bad, but sadly its underused for soccer as it is.

I'm just wondering where the future Ft Lauderdale team will play now...?

[wufc]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/sfl-sprusnak24sep24,0,2786142.column

Thank god at least one person says something in favor of Lockhart.

[JRedknapp11]

Yes it does look that way. Too bad, but sadly its underused for soccer as it is.

I'm just wondering where the future Ft Lauderdale team will play now...?

FAU Campus

[HSEUPASSION]

I've played football and soccer on baseball fields and it sucks. Over the long term it's bad for your knees and ankles.

To have high school players, who are still growing boys and girls, playing on that stuff long term would be terrible for their legs.

They should keep Lockhart, works perfectly for soccer and football (and lacrosse, and rugby, and potentally irish sports). A baseball stadium would only be perfect for baseball.

[sounderfan]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/sfl-sprusnak24sep24,0,2786142.column


"If Lockhart is torn down," said Robbie, whose family housed the Strikers at Lockhart from 1977-83, "that would be the end of professional soccer in Fort Lauderdale in the foreseeable future. It would be the death knell."


Oops. Posted above.

But worth repeating. :)

[bomp]

This would be a shame. Orioles Owners insists on staying there because that's where his winter house is. The other O's owners are in the area as well. They've had other offers but insist on tearing down Lockhart.

If Angelos is involved, it will be late or wrong. Ask anyone who follows the O's.

[Lockhart Pride]

My dad sent me this link, so I will post my message here. I am the grand-daughter of H.Y. "Doug" Lockhart, to whom Lockhart Stadium was dedicated to. I have been to this stadium several times over the past few years and have always been awed and amazed at it's beauty. It certainly had grown over time and I am so dismayed that it is going to be torn down. My grandfather died long before I was born and this is the one physical link I had to the great man he was. I am disappointed that the City of Ft. Lauderdale couldn't see past the "money" in order to continue honoring this man who once served our country, the City of Fort Lauderdale as a police officer and, later, as a City Commissioner.