It’s all but certain that Cardinal Stadium, former home of the Louisville Redbirds (Class AAA; American Association), will be torn down sometime next year.
The issue: the place is basically falling down and there’s no economically viable reuse for the old facility, which also housed University of Louisville football. That’s a dangerous combo for an old sporting facility, and with the Kentucky State Fair Board eager to find a new use for the land, demolition is on the docket. From the Louisville Courier-Journal:
Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, the Kentucky State Fair Board president and CEO, said Thursday that the board intends to solicit proposals from design and engineering consultants to conduct the study….
Rippetoe stopped short of asking the legislators to appropriate money to demolish the old stadium, an estimated expense of $9 million to $11 million. The building dates to the 1950s and is now used exclusively for free state fair concerts. Rather than use the dangerous stadium grandstands, about 9,500 chairs have been set up on the playing field.
By the end of the 2014 General Assembly session early next year, Rippetoe hopes to have a plan to replace the stadium and the offices, horse stalls and other facilities it houses. An amphitheater accommodating about 12,000 people has been suggested for the site.
RELATED STORIES: Cardinal Stadium should be torn down: Engineers
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