Civic Stadium going on the market

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Emeralds are gone, off to open their season at PK Park.

The bleachers are blocked off.

Eugene Civic Stadium is now home to no one.

The stadium's owner, the Eugene 4J School District, is ready to get rid of it and cash-in on the multi-million dollar property. 4J has owned the land since Civic Stadium was built in 1938. Now the district says they have no use for the property - and they don't have the $50,000 a year required to maintain it.

4J Communications Director Kerry Delf said a Civic sale could result in some much needed cash for the district. They're also considering a long-term lease or a property trade.

"It is possible to set up a reasonable trade for comparable properties," Delf said.

KVAL News asked Delf if any of the money that's made from the sale be used to help fund teacher jobs.

"Typically the monies from property sales are used for future properties, but the school board does have the option of taking a look at other needs and making changes to that," Delf said.

Civic won't go necessarily to the highest bidder. The school board will create a list of factors they will look at in each proposal.

"They can also take other things into account such as the community impact of proposed use of the stadium property," Delf said.

Two community groups have already expressed interest in the property.

A group called "Save Civic Stadium" wants to keep the stadium and turn the ballpark into a community recreation area that would include a major league soccer field.

The Eugene YMCA is also looking at the land. Executive Director David Perez said they would get rid of Civic and replace it with tennis courts, two ball fields and a new facility. There are a lot of unknowns with Civic's future. One thing is for sure, the historic stands will be changing hands.

The district will start taking proposals later this year.