The City of LaFayette in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority is excited to announce an upcoming fall concert fundraiser on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the Ross-Abney Complex (old High School football stadium).
Since the new high school was built there have been many questions regarding the use of the old high school football stadium. Especially since thousands of local alumni have memories of their high school days in this area. A number of years ago the old decaying bleachers were removed and the building itself was closed off to the public.
The 2014 SPLOST package contained a budgeted $150,000 for the renovation of this project. However SPLOST is a six year package, and the city only took out bonds to repair our roads for our citizens, as they were our #1 priority. Future SPLOSTS revenue will be directed to this project as promised over the next few years, however, we would like to begin the process of making this facility a shining star once more.
At June City Council the purchase of 450 feet of fence and gates was approved for the Ross-Abney complex. We want to be absolutely clear that the walking track will remain open for use. We will be mending the missing sections of fence, installing new gates so that vehicles can no longer drive on the field or track, and installing multiple individual gates around the field and track.
We will be converting the old home bleachers side bank into a section of several grass terraced levels that will provide areas for folding chairs or blankets. We will also be building a new staircase coming down from the old main gate building to bring access to the field. We will be building a ticket booth at the south end of the field to be used for future events. This lot will feature handicap parking and other parking.
Parks & Recreation will be bringing Little League football back to this field in fall 2015, which will bring concessions and other revenues back into the Recreation Department while also returning the field to its original intended use.
We are planning a large scale concert to be held on the field for Saturday, September 26, 2015. The purpose of this concert will be to raise funds for the Ross-Abney complex. We will be seeking multiple sponsorships for this project, and will be selling tickets to the event later this summer. Wristbands will be $8 in advance, $10 on day of the event. All proceeds from this event (after expenses) will be used for this project.
We cannot yet release the band name as we are still in the negotiation process. Watch for this announcement in the upcoming weeks.
