Before the fire:

There was going to be a field house for Kidsports including five gyms, an artificial turf field, and a restored grandstand. (the image pictured is the rendering before the fire)

Things have changed.

But the mission remains to develop and operate a community sports and entertainment venue on the historic Civic Stadium property for the physical education and recreation of all the children and youth of the community and the community at large.

There will still be a field house, a turf field, and a stadium.

The Kidsports field house specifically will help solve a problem that there is not enough school facilities (or affordable/safe/adequate private facilities) open long enough to house all of the kids that want to play. The field house will have room for 4-5 full sized basketball courts that can be converted in to 9 volleyball courts. Adult and elder recreation will also be able to utilize the field house to walk and exercise in a safe and adequate facility. Programs and workshops, such as physical literacy, will be taught at this facility as well, in order to better equip teachers to engage kids.

The entire property will be self-sustaining. Rentals and paid use will generate revenue. Eugene Civic Alliance will be moving forward as if the fire had not happened. Use of the more expensive facilities that Kidsports currently rents will no longer be needed such as the Fairgrounds and Willamalane. Advertising and Sponsorships will also help provide revenue.

A board of directors has been established to move “Plan B” forward. The first job was to clean up the site. The site is now clean and vacant. The biggest difference between Plan A and B is that the stadium will need to be built instead of restored.

To kick off the effort, on October 4, the site will be open for the community to come by and see what is happening. Food & Drink, Music, Site Plans, Kids Games, and other Booths will be available from Noon-4pm at the Civic Stadium site.

A website has been established for donations: eugenecivicalliance.org. $17-20 million will need to be raised. Insurance money will help get the fundraising effort started.

In summary, the Eugene Civic Alliance will become:

  • a place promoting active, healthy children
  • a destination for family fun and entertainment
  • a venue for professional soccer
  • and a thriving community hub unlike anything else in town

Keep an eye on the website for updates as time moves forward.