Reading Community Schools, city planning for upgrades to Veteran’s Memorial Stadium

Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Reading could soon get a much-needed makeover.A partnership between the city and school district is beginning to take shape in what, essentially, is a land swap.Reading Community Schools will hand ownership of its former elementary school site to the city for a new fire station.The city, in turn, would cover the costs of stadium repairs.”Although the ownership would change, the use of the community will not,” said Mark Edwards, Assistant Superintendent with Reading Schools. “And we hope to increase that usage. We want the community to be able to come here, enjoy it.”Grass fields would turn to turf and the stadium would be expanded.Locker room upgrades would be on the table, too, and the outdated track would be replaced.It’s all part of a capital improvement plan that’s been in the works for years. But, all of this is dependent on the approval of a property tax bond issue.The school and city say it will give students and athletes a great place to practice.”We don’t have space. You know, we sometimes have to say, hey, you can’t have your game this day or your practice because there’s not enough room,” Reading Safety Service Director Patrick Ross said. “If we have a turf field, that will benefit all kids future generations.”As to how much the bond issue would cost taxpayers, there should be an answer by October. It would go on the ballot in November 2026.The goal is to have the stadium’s renovations done before the 2027 season, which would be the stadium’s 60th year in the city.

CINCINNATI —

Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Reading could soon get a much-needed makeover.

A partnership between the city and school district is beginning to take shape in what, essentially, is a land swap.

Reading Community Schools will hand ownership of its former elementary school site to the city for a new fire station.

The city, in turn, would cover the costs of stadium repairs.

“Although the ownership would change, the use of the community will not,” said Mark Edwards, Assistant Superintendent with Reading Schools. “And we hope to increase that usage. We want the community to be able to come here, enjoy it.”

Grass fields would turn to turf and the stadium would be expanded.

Locker room upgrades would be on the table, too, and the outdated track would be replaced.

It’s all part of a capital improvement plan that’s been in the works for years. But, all of this is dependent on the approval of a property tax bond issue.

The school and city say it will give students and athletes a great place to practice.

“We don’t have space. You know, we sometimes have to say, hey, you can’t have your game this day or your practice because there’s not enough room,” Reading Safety Service Director Patrick Ross said. “If we have a turf field, that will benefit all kids future generations.”

As to how much the bond issue would cost taxpayers, there should be an answer by October. It would go on the ballot in November 2026.

The goal is to have the stadium’s renovations done before the 2027 season, which would be the stadium’s 60th year in the city.