The Allegheny Valley School District will have a home field after all for the upcoming football season.
Concerns about using Veterans Memorial Stadium in Springdale arose after a damaged portion of the field’s exterior wall was assessed in May.
The wall, which was built in 1938, leans toward the stadium from the Lincoln Avenue side of the facility.
At the school board meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Pat Graczyk shared a statement from Senate Engineering clearing the stadium for use in the upcoming school year.
Despite concerns about additional movement from contact between the wall and the press box, Senate determined the press box is safe to use However, Graczyk anticipates that the box will not be used out of “an abundance of caution.”
The section of bleachers adjacent to the ticket booth will be closed because of structural concerns, including loose capstones.
“There is a small section from the press box and before the ramp that we will close,” Graczyk said. “All other areas were deemed to be safe/stable.”
Graczyk confirmed the ticket booth will not be used, as it is structurally unsound and the door is difficult to use.
Concerns regarding high attendance and little seating availability briefly arose but were quickly dismissed. Board members said they are confident there will be enough seating for all spectators and the school band.
According to board officials and Senate Engineering, there shouldn’t be a need to make up for the loss of seating with portable bleachers.
The walkway between the bleachers and the football field will be open and is safe to use, officials said.
Graczyk plans to release a statement to inform the community about the specifics of Senate Engineering’s decisions for the field’s structure.
The board contacted the boroughto confirm the area surrounding the stadium also is structurally sound.
“We want to keep everybody safe,” Graczyk said.
Veterans Memorial Field also was built in 1938. The Springdale Dynamo football team has played at the field since 1939, excluding a couple of years when the field underwent renovations.
