'It's just sad.' Study finds Van Cortlandt Park Stadium is 'beyond repair;' needs to be demolished
There is no timetable for when the work will begin, but the Parks Department says there is no imminent safety risk.
A yearlong study conducted by the New York City Parks Department has found that the Van Cortlandt Park Stadium has deteriorated to a point where it is "beyond repair," and will need to be demolished.
The stadium was opened in 1939. People in the area have been raising concerns about its condition since at least 2006.
Marlisa Wise, the Park Department's director of architecture, says they were hoping to find a way to fix the building and save it.
"We found it's not feasible due to the inherent construction and soil condition, and state of the building," Wise said, explaining that the concrete mix used during construction had more water than normal, while the stadium was also built on wetlands, making it less stable.
"It's just sad," said Deb Travis, the chair of the Bronx Community Board 8 Parks Committee. "The Parks Department does not have enough money for maintenance, and because it doesn't have enough money for maintenance - and it hasn't for a very long time - this is what happens."
At the moment, there is no timetable for when the demolition will happen.
The Parks Department says it now has to wait for the city to give it the funding to first knock down the old stadium and then build the new one.
"There's so much potential at this location to better serve the community," said Christina Taylor, the deputy director of the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. "The fact now they know they definitely have to do something, I think that'll help move things along."
The bathrooms and the inside of the stadium have already been closed to the public for a few years. Wise says there have been inspections for lead, asbestos and mold.
Despite that, along with the multiple large cracks and protective netting above the handball courts to catch any falling pieces of concrete, Wise says the Parks Department is confident the building is safe to be around at the moment.
"We want to keep the handball courts open for as long as possible while we determine our funding and next steps," she said, adding that more protective measures will be implemented as needed.
Whenever the stadium does get rebuilt, early concepts are calling for improvements, including ADA-accessible bathrooms, indoor storage, meeting areas and offices, and even a gym.
"My hope is that we will make this corner just a hub for athletics, and for classes and for play," said Travis.
The future of the stadium building will have no impact on the track and field right next to it. The Parks Department tells News 12 that is actually scheduled to get renovated in 2027.
