October 8, 2002

Historic Johnstown stadium may be demolished
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Associated Press

JOHNSTOWN, PA. -- City leaders were trying to decide whether to renovate or demolish a stadium that was the site of Negro League games in 1945 featuring players such as Satchel Page and Jackie Robinson, and where Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig once swung for the fences.

The grandstands of Point Stadium in Johnstown are rusting away, crumbling brick walls are covered by boards and the minor league team that played in the stadium was sold last month.

"I don't live in the past and I don't think the community can afford to live in the past," Mayor Don Zucco said.

A meeting of the same group that raised $17.2 million in state funds for a conference center in the city will meet within a month to make a pitch for a new stadium with the governor's office, Zucco said.