Elyria residents bid farewell to Ely Stadium

The historic Ely Stadium in the city of Elyria was reduced to rubble July 11, but it was moving that some residents stopped by to reflect on their memories of the aged facility. The press box where announcers shouted out exciting plays and football enthus

This was a place where hundreds of Elyria athletes competed before some of them went on to successful college and professional careers.

It also was the site where thousands of students received their high school diplomas.

During the early afternoon, construction crews dismantled the nearly century-old structure.

Before the demolition, the seats were removed from the grandstands before workers removed the press box.

A few Elyria High School Pioneers — both current and former students — and gawkers stopped by to watch the demolition, take photos, reminisce and gather bricks left behind.

Soon after the Elyria High graduation June 6, crews began taking down the visitor stands and light poles.

Amy Higgins, communications and marketing director for Elyria City Schools, said the Ely Stadium grandstand was built 91 years ago, during the summer of 1927.

But in minutes, those who gathered to watched the stadium crumble, shared fond memories and were excited because of what the future holds.

That’s because a brand new field and multi-sports complex next door will replace the old stadium.

Resident Laura Hall Chapin, who graduated from Elyria High School in 1991, and was in the Elyria marching band drum line, watched the demolition.

Chapin said her daughter Jess Norris, who graduated from Elyria High in 2010, was in the drum line.

Chapin’s son Garrett Chapin, who will graduate in 2020, is in the drum line.

For the Chapin family, Ely Stadium was a tradition. It holds so many memories. And that likely can be said for many families that have had generations attending Elyria Schools and participating in athletics.

Chapin said she loved being in the band and representing Elyria High.

She said it’s a joy watching her children carry on the marching band tradition and hearing the same cadences she once played.

Sean Lowstetter, of Elyria, sat in his car with his girlfriend, Erin Gawlik, as crews knocked down the press box down.

Lowstetter graduated from Elyria High in 1988.

He said he played football his freshman year, but spent most of his high school career playing hockey, golf and track and field.

So, Lowstetter spent some time at Ely Stadium playing football, but also cheering on the team every Friday night with friends.

He said watching the site of memories of his childhood going away is sad.

But he said it is nice the residents were allowed to have bricks as memorabilia.

Although Ely Stadium will be remembered fondly, it was time for it to go.

It was outdated and needed to be replaced; it had lived its life.

Now, current and future students will be able to experience something new and fresh — and modern.

During the first phase, the 5,000-seat stadium, not far from the old Ely Stadium, is expected to be finished by Aug. 24, the date of the first football game.

The new stadium will have new turf football/soccer field, competition track, practice fields, a venue for the Pioneer Marching Band, concessions and parking.

The second phase, which includes the multi-sport complex and other features, is scheduled for completion for the 2019-20 academic year.

There will be a fieldhouse and multipurpose room, which will house batting cages and infield practice areas.

Also, the complex will include new tennis courts and new fields for baseball and softball, lockers rooms and coaches offices.

And the grandstands will be fully ADA compliant.

Architectural Vision Group (AVG), of Westlake, is designing the stadium complex, as well as the five new Elyria schools over the next five years.

And Architectural Vision Group is no stranger to Elyria Schools. The firm designed Elyria High.

Elyria residents and former students are remembering and reflecting on the old Ely Stadium.

Hopefully, they and others will be creating new memories soon at the new one.