Breaking Ground at Civic Park
October 10, 2018
On October 7th, hundreds of community members came to the future home of Civic Park to help Eugene Civic Alliance officially break ground on the new facility. The event celebrated the start of construction of the new sports and recreation center which will include a 40,000 square-foot Kidsports Fieldhouse, two outdoor sport courts, outdoor multi-sport turf field, Pocket Park, and 2,500-seat stadium.
The event began with a ceremony to reflect on the site’s history and future and to thank the people who have helped the Campaign for Civic Park reach this major milestone. ECA board members Bev Smith and Jordan Kent emceed the program and Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis and Oregon State Representative Nancy Nathanson spoke about the important role the project will play in local and regional efforts to promote equitable health and recreation for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The ceremony concluded by honoring local athletes whose achievements in sports and dedication to their community earned them the title of “Civic Champions.” These included: Nate Jaqua, Mike Manley, Jordan Kent, Karen Meats, Mary Brorby, Lance Diehl, Bev Smith, Becky Sisley, and Pat Hoover. Event attendees were then invited to follow Civic Champions to one of several dig sites representing major components of the facility. Guests interested in soccer football, rugby, or field hockey went to the future site of the outdoor turf field. Those interested in basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other court sports went to the future site of the Kidsports Filedhouse and guests interested in softball, baseball, and the history of Civic went to the former location of the Civic Stadium pitcher’s mound.
Once guests made their way to their chosen dig site, Art Johnson, Eamon Happy, and former Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, blew their whistles to signal everyone to take their shovels and officially break ground on Civic Park! Following the ground-breaking, kids were invited to dig for commemorative Civic Park coins on the former site of Civic Stadium’s left-field dugout.
The event was sponsored by KEZI 9 News and included music and audio services from Pedal Power Music. Guests enjoyed frozen treats from SweetBay Shave Ice, classic ballpark foods from Red 5 Hotdog Company, and coffee creations from Most Wanted Espresso. Special thanks to Buck’s Sanitary Services, Lane Transit District, and CRM Crowd Management Services for supporting this event!
ECA is honored by the warm show of community support Civic Park received at this event. We know this support will allow Civic Park to continue to move forward as a community hub with groundbreaking programs in health, recreation, and play!
