Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. The decision has been made to demolish the old 89ers stadium sometime this winter. The cost is suppose to be around $150,000.00-$200,000.00. They have used the stadium for different types of events, however, vandals have caused problems, along with things in the stadium deteriorating.

It has actually become an eyesore for those traveling north on I-44. All you can see is lots of weeds and a dilapidated stadium. The only thing it has been used for lately is for parking when there is a horse show in town, or parking for when the state fair is here.

I believe if they don't have the resources to keep it up, then let's go ahead and tear it down. Although I went to many 89er ball games at that park, sometimes you gotta let go and look towards the future. I don't know what they will do with the property, except for maybe use it for more parking.

Man, I could cry reading that. What great memories there. I love the new stadium but it still ticks me off that they changed the name. BRING BACK OUR 89ERS!!!

I actually always thought All Sports Stadium was a dumb name.....why call it that if you only have one sport there?

Anyhow, I'm glad to hear the stadium is finally being demolished. It's about time. Actually, they haven't used the stadium for anything in quite sometime. The summer after the Redhawks/89ers left, the Fair Grounds tried to use it as an amphitheater, renaming it State Fair Amphitheater, but that really never worked out. The site lines just weren't great, and the facility just wasn't in good shape even then.

Sure, I had many great memories in that ballpark, but the structure itself wasn't really any prize! Having it come down won't be a big loss.

From what the fair director has told me, the area will be leveled out and paved for parking.

Its so sad tho lol I remember when i was young my parents used to take me to the games. I was actually named after Ruben Sierra Who used to play for the 89ers. It is sad to me to that they changed the name to the RedHawks but i guess its okay since we got a new beatiful stadium to stand for it. I hope they put somethin new in there and not just make it a parking lot because it covers a huge amount of land i dont think it would be to nice driving down I-44 Looking at that lol.

Hey okcstylez, that's interesting that you were named after Ruben Sierra! Did you happen to see him the past few years as he played for the Redhawks? He's a classy guy, and a great player. I'm just saddened that the Rangers have never held onto him.

Unfortunately, the Master Plan for State Fair Park shows All Sports Stadium being turned ito parking. It's a shame, but without any other plans, I guess it's better than leaving an enpty field of dirt.

Here's a pic of how the stadium/field looked when it was used as an amphitheater for a short while. This pic was from back in 2000.

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Yes he was an awesome Player it is sad they never held on to him but It seems like hes doing pretty Fine with the Yankees.

Yah your right and hopefully this parking will be a real parking lot, instead of the way parking is done mostly now with the dirt and mud a person has to park on top of to visit the State Fair.

Yeah, I've seen old Ruben with the Yankees.....they're taking advantage of his skill. For as old as he is, I'm amazed at how well he's still playing. You know, back in the day when he was with the Rangers, he was a pretty top notch athlete. Afterall, wasn't he traded by the Rangers for Jose Canseco (spelling?) of the Oakland Athletics. Back then Canseco was quite a player, and Oakland going for such a trade shows how much Ruben was really worth.

And yeah, the parking lot will be asphalt by the way!

Ya Very true I think i Read somewhere where he gets paid Only 1 Million a year which is way less than alot of the younger athletes. Sad But great and amazing that he is still the great ball player that he has been for so many years.

And very good im going to park in that parking lot for sure lol.

Many memories there but such an eyesore, I can't wait till the day they tear that down. parking will be better than that. Anyone heard anything regarding this project lately? I know its not been talked much about since the equine facilities/ hotel tax issue

1st post... hi everybody. From Moore here. They will be making it into parking.

Thanks, TheLlama. Look forward to your contributions here. Welcome!

Yeah, it should be demolished sometime this winter. Definitely before the next fair. I believe right now the focus is on getting this tax increase passed on Tuesday.

By the way, funding for this project hinges on the passing of the hotel/motel tax increase on Tuesday.

when I said any updates, I meant does anyone know the proposed timeline