Fairdale High School Stadium Getting Long Overdue Makeover

By Caton Bredar

(LOUISVILLE) -- The renovation of Fairdale High School's stadium got a big boost Thursday, as state Rep. Ron Weston presented a check from the state for $300,000 earmarked for a massive renovation of the almost 50-year-old George P. Greschel Community Stadium. As WAVE 3's Caton Bredar reports, it's not just an improvement for the high school, but an investment in the Fairdale community.

Ron Weston didn't return from Frankfort until 2 a.m. Thursday morning, so he could be forgiven for one minor oversight. "We had a long session," he explains. "I did have a replica of the check, but I don't have that now."

But while he didn't have the replica, he did have the real thing, announcing that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has "appropriated $300,000 to help with this project."

The money may be just a drop in the state's multi-billion dollar budget, but it will still go a long way toward improving a stadium that's been virtually untouched since Fairdale High School opened nearly 50 years ago.

According to Principal Linda Brown, the school was built in "1958 or 1959, and this is the stadium that was built at that time."

But while the stadium facilities are outdated, they are definitely not unused. According to school officials as well as Weston, the community utilizes the stadium as much as the school does.

"The baseball team shares its fields with youth baseball in this community," says Weston. "And it's used by senior citizens. Since the late 60s and early 70s, the football field has been used by our youth as well -- I mean everyone uses this football field."

Jeff Davis, who works with Fairdale's Youth Football program, concurs. While Davis loves the convenience of the stadium, he says "it could be updated, you know? It's old. But it's still a football field."

A brochure on the project published by the Fairdale Alumni Organization puts the fundraising goal for the entire project at $500,000. Early estimates on Phase One, which includes new bleacher seating and a new press box, are $370,000. With the state's contribution, the project is well on its way, and the school hopes to have Phase One completed by the end of this summer.

For the principals as well as politicians, the process has been surprisingly smooth.

"It's something that the community rallied behind and wanted to support," Brown says. "It sort of took a life of its own."

Weston adds: "I believe on both sides of the aisle, and in both senate and house, they realize the importance of trying to turn the Commonwealth around. There wasn't much debate at all."

The alumni, the parents, seniors, local residents, businesses and policy makers "all worked together, along with the school district," Weston says. And because of that, "we're really going to be able to move this forward to benefit the community."

Online Reporter: Caton Bredar

Online Producer: Michael Dever