Veterans Memorial Stadium Demolition Underway

HARRISONBURG - Demolition of Veterans Memorial Stadium at the former Harrisonburg High School began on Monday, Sept. 22 and is expected to conclude by Thursday, Sept. 25. 

The aging facility will be replaced by a new softball / baseball complex but will retain the Veterans Memorial Stadium name. 

Veterans Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1949 in honor of the area's 139 veterans killed during World War II. A plaque with the names of those veterans had stood outside the stadium until recently when the plaque was moved to a secure facility. The plaque, with the addition of three names left off the original, will be integrated into the design of the new complex. 

At a Veterans Day ceremony last year, James Madison University President Linwood H. Rose announced the expansion of the memorial. The new Veterans Memorial Stadium will honor all those Harrisonburg and Rockingham County foreign war veterans who were killed in action. 

The future Veterans Memorial Stadium complex will be home to JMU's baseball and softball teams. The project is expected to be completed in time for the programs to begin their 2010 seasons in the new facility. 

Reserved parking is available in Lot C-3 for members of the media interested in covering the demolition of the stadium. Lot C-3 is accessible from South High Street just south of Bruce Street. Due to safety concerns, members of the media will be restricted to the Lot C-3 area.