Demolition of grandstands begins at Geneva’s Memorial Field

GENEVA Plans to remediate the grounds at Memorial Field began Thursday with the partial demolition of the home grandstand, despite a small group of vocal residents determined to keep the field just as it has always been.

The City of Geneva issued a demolition permit for both the home grandstands and the tall, metal guest bleachers, Geneva Councilman Mike Schupska confirmed, and the Geneva Board of Education wasted no time in the removal of debris and materials from the property on Eastwood Street.

In February, the board of education announced the intention to demolish the grandstands, visitors bleachers and pressbox at Memorial Field. The board also announced the intention to gather bids for the demolition and plans to keep the old scoreboard as a landmark, BOE president David Foote said.

A small group of residents, led by Geneva High School graduate Lisa Pucci-Delgado, initially asked the board to retain ownership of the field or give the field to the city for any public use. That demand evolved, though, as the board agreed to use the property to benefit Geneva citizens, but made plans to change the topography of the field through demolition of structures and the remediation of the marshiest parts of the field.

Delgado, who started on online petition to save the field, said she is fed up with not being heard by her school representatives.

They should listen to their community and do what is right, she said.

Foote said the board of educations goal is still to return the field to public use.

Unfortunately for our community, access to Memorial Field has not been afforded for too long, he said. Sadly, as we all know, the home stands at Memorial Field fell victim to vandalism creating several safety issues for community use. Hearing the public outcry the board has been fervently working to see public use of Memorial Field realized once again.

No matter the reasons, at least one anonymous but clearly upset resident has started the Facebook page Recall the Geneva Board of Education.

The page had 44 likes as of Thursday afternoon.

Read more:
Demolition of grandstands begins at Geneva's Memorial Field