Posted at 9:29 a.m., Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Colleges: Group wants to save World Series stadium
Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. — An Omaha group has already collected more than 4,000 signatures as part of a campaign to save Rosenblatt Stadium, which has been home to the College World Series since 1950.The group hopes to persuade city officials to abandon a plan to replace Rosenblatt with a new downtown ballpark. A decision about the venerable stadium's future is expected by the end of the year, but could come as soon as August because city and NCAA officials plan to meet then.
Two neighborhood associations in the area around Rosenblatt are leading the campaign to save the stadium that has been home to NCAA Division I baseball's national championship for more than 50 years.
Crystal Rhoades said the group plans to collect signatures throughout the summer, and present them to Omaha mayor Mike Fahey.
"We want to drive home the point that (a new downtown ballpark) is not something the community wants," Rhoades said. "Rosenblatt is a landmark. To us, it's Wrigley Field or Fenway Park."
Rosenblatt was built in 1948 and opened as Municipal Stadium. It was renamed in 1964 in honor of Johnny Rosenblatt, Omaha's mayor from 1954 to 1961. The stadium, which originally seated 10,000, now has a capacity of 23,145.
The city has spent $35 million the last 15 years to upgrade the stadium with, among other things, new seats, a video board, a sound system and concession stands.
If Rosenblatt were renovated, the stadium would require structural upgrading and amenities such as new clubhouses and interactive areas with activities for fans. The renovation plans call for a new village setting outside the stadium where vendors could operate and fans could congregate.
