A Wilmington City Council committee will work to pick up the pieces after the actions of a state representative and his allies led Salesianum School to pull its plan for an overhaul of Baynard Stadium.
A City Council release stated that the Wilmington City Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee will meet next week with its chairman announcing that it will “focus solely on the formation of a task force to explore at future funding options for the renovation and ongoing maintenance of the city-owned Baynard Stadium.”
Committee Chair Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D-1st District) said the committee would not entertain any further discussion on the proposed stadium lease between the City and Salesianum School because the school’s offer has been withdrawn and the legislation that would have approved the lease is no longer on council’s agenda.
State Rep. Charles Potter and to some extent Chukwuocha have been the subject of criticism for a move to further study the stadium proposal. The decision led the high school to withdraw its proposal that would have poured $20 million into the ramshackle facility through a long-term lease.
Potter’s actions were quickly criticized for being short-sighted and perhaps petty. Potter claimed he was not informed of a meeting regarding Salesianum’s offer, with officials saying he was invited.
He also stated that he had questions about community use of the stadium. Salesianum said all schools currently using the stadium would continue to do so.
“Is it time to move on and focus our efforts on identifying funds to renovate the stadium and to support its ongoing maintenance,” said Chukwuocha. “I envision a task force comprised of state, county and city officials as well as community members, current users of the facility and other stakeholders who want to help us tackle a number of issues.”
The Council Committee Chair said the task force will review the relationship between the city and state regarding Baynard Stadium, assemble accurate information about the current physical condition of the facility and determine the amount and sources of funding needed to address stadium deficiencies. Just as importantly, Chukwuocha said, the panel will discuss how best to increase stadium usage among community-based youth groups.
Chukwuocha said he will ask the task force to present its findings and recommendations within 90 days to the Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee.
The councilman may find the state and county to be reluctant partners, due to Potter’s position on the lease issue and a looming state budget shortfall.
Incoming County Executive Matt Meyer also warned about a looming county budget shortfall in his successful campaign to unseat Thomas Gordon.
Salesianum, a private male Catholic high school, is widely respected in political, government and business circles.
