Post by fwp on May 24, 2008 7:02:11 GMT -5
www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1200&u_sid=10342496
PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. — For 12 years, old Blue Devil Stadium sat vacant and fell into disrepair, bringing sadness to those passing by the once-thriving sports venue.
Come June, Saturday night lights and amateur football will return to the downtown stadium.
The Plattsmouth school board, which is trying to sell the stadium property, has signed a lease to let the Cass County Renegades play their 2008 schedule at Blue Devil Stadium.
The Renegades are one of two Nebraska teams competing in the North American Football League. The other is in Norfolk.
"I can see the Renegades just taking off and being a fun thing for people in the community to do on a Saturday night with their family," said Jeanene Wehrbein, executive director of Plattsmouth's Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2005, the Renegades have played home games at Memorial Field in nearby Weeping Water. The team decided to relocate because Weeping Water is reconstructing its outdoor sports facility this summer.
Renegades coach James Wall hopes that moving to a city of 7,000 closer to Omaha will draw a larger fan base.
The team will have five regular-season home games in its 10-game conference schedule, starting June 21 against the Kansas City Jazz. All home games will be on Saturday nights at 7. Admission is $5, and children 10 and younger can get in free.
In an effort to build community unity, the team will play a flag-football game June 7 at the stadium against Plattsmouth police officers and Cass County sheriff's deputies to raise money for the local DARE program.
"I'm hoping we can get the community and the youth groups behind us," Wall said. "We're trying to bring the stadium back to life for something in the community to do on a Saturday night."
In lieu of paying the school district a rental fee, the Renegades agreed to refurbish the concession stands, bleachers, press box and retaining wall.
In 2002, city officials wanted to build a new community center on the stadium site, but a petition drive blocked a land swap with the school district.
Ken Winters, a Plattsmouth school board member, has fond memories of playing high school football at Blue Devil Stadium, which dates to the World War II era. The 1971 graduate said he plans to attend some Renegade games this summer.
"It will be nice to get people into that stadium again," he said. "We're a big sports town, and we have been for a long time."
This spring, the school district decided to accept formal bids on the 3.5-acre stadium site by designating it as surplus property. Bids are due June 9.
So far, no one has submitted any bids. School officials indicated they would sell the stadium property to a developer only if they received a substantial offer.
PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. — For 12 years, old Blue Devil Stadium sat vacant and fell into disrepair, bringing sadness to those passing by the once-thriving sports venue.
Come June, Saturday night lights and amateur football will return to the downtown stadium.
The Plattsmouth school board, which is trying to sell the stadium property, has signed a lease to let the Cass County Renegades play their 2008 schedule at Blue Devil Stadium.
The Renegades are one of two Nebraska teams competing in the North American Football League. The other is in Norfolk.
"I can see the Renegades just taking off and being a fun thing for people in the community to do on a Saturday night with their family," said Jeanene Wehrbein, executive director of Plattsmouth's Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2005, the Renegades have played home games at Memorial Field in nearby Weeping Water. The team decided to relocate because Weeping Water is reconstructing its outdoor sports facility this summer.
Renegades coach James Wall hopes that moving to a city of 7,000 closer to Omaha will draw a larger fan base.
The team will have five regular-season home games in its 10-game conference schedule, starting June 21 against the Kansas City Jazz. All home games will be on Saturday nights at 7. Admission is $5, and children 10 and younger can get in free.
In an effort to build community unity, the team will play a flag-football game June 7 at the stadium against Plattsmouth police officers and Cass County sheriff's deputies to raise money for the local DARE program.
"I'm hoping we can get the community and the youth groups behind us," Wall said. "We're trying to bring the stadium back to life for something in the community to do on a Saturday night."
In lieu of paying the school district a rental fee, the Renegades agreed to refurbish the concession stands, bleachers, press box and retaining wall.
In 2002, city officials wanted to build a new community center on the stadium site, but a petition drive blocked a land swap with the school district.
Ken Winters, a Plattsmouth school board member, has fond memories of playing high school football at Blue Devil Stadium, which dates to the World War II era. The 1971 graduate said he plans to attend some Renegade games this summer.
"It will be nice to get people into that stadium again," he said. "We're a big sports town, and we have been for a long time."
This spring, the school district decided to accept formal bids on the 3.5-acre stadium site by designating it as surplus property. Bids are due June 9.
So far, no one has submitted any bids. School officials indicated they would sell the stadium property to a developer only if they received a substantial offer.