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posted 05/27/2010
Officials kickoff plan to improve North Royalton stadium
May 27, 2010, 7:34PM
Behnke Associates Inc. created this rendering of an artificial turf field and all-weather, eight-lane track for North Royalton City Schools.
NORTH ROYALTON
A community that once trailed neighboring suburbs is rapidly coming into the forefront.
On the heels of last year’s successful boys’ varsity football playoff run, the North Royalton Stadium Foundation is looking to raise $1.4 million before February 2011 allowing for the construction of an artificial turf field and an eight-lane all-weather track.
The “Turf the Field” stadium project was unveiled last Thursday morning. Among those in attendance were Broadview Heights Mayor Sam Alai, North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik, Foundation Chairman Larry Vasil and student representatives from the football, track and soccer teams, along with a marching band member.
“The city is moving forward with the YMCA of Greater Cleveland,” Stefanik said. “More efforts are being made to bring North Royalton into this century. We are now ahead of other neighboring cities.”
Stefanik, who said he once played on the field in 1969, said not much has changed in that time span. Facilities, comprised of a grass and dirt field, were originally built in the 1940s.
The encompassing track, which track coach Don Bazzo said floods each rainfall in lanes one and two, was constructed in 1995.
“We’ve lost revenue because we can’t host many events,” Bazzo said.
The track’s long and narrow shape also conflicts with neighboring competitor tracks when runners must acclimate to a new stance on the track. Officials said a stadium that now only hosts about 10 football events per year could accommodate as many as 200 school and community events.
Phase One of the initiative, which is estimated to be complete by the 2010 fall season, calls for the replacement of the visitor stands with 800 ADA compliant bleacher seats expandable to 2,000 seats by the end of the project. Paved walkways will also be installed, along with a portable visitor concession stand and restroom facilities.
Retaining walls will be added, along with level walkways and re-landscaping.
Phase Two calls for the installation of synthetic turf and an eight-lane track.
“Since 1940, our community has grown significantly, but our stadium has not kept pace with that change and growth,” Vasil said.
The renovated stadium would allow for regional sports playoffs and tournaments, including soccer.
As part of Phase Three, the 1,900-seat home grandstand would be replaced with a 3,000-seat area holding a larger press box and possible viewing box.
The concession stand and restroom facility would be replaced.
“I’m fully convinced this goal will become a reality,” said Superintendent Ed Vittardi.
Alai also pledged his support.
“I see the value of strong communities, and this can be a community fixture,” Alai said.
For more information, visit nrstadiumfoundation.com, or call Larry Vasil at (440) 570-2446.
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