Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki has named an 11-member working group to look into the future of Baynard Stadium, a sports and events venue on West 18th Street in Brandywine Park. The panel, led by Director of Parks and Recreation Kevin Kelley, will produce recommendations within 45 days.
“There were discussions about the future of this City asset a few months ago,” said Mayor Purzycki in a statement. “At the time, the focus was on current and future public use of the stadium, the major structural repairs and improvements that are needed at the facility, and a determination about the most efficient way to manage the stadium moving forward. However, those discussions did not lead to satisfactory answers or solutions. Now, we will take the opportunity to gather the information we need to make prudent decisions that will benefit the City and the community. I am appreciative to those who have agreed to serve on this panel.
The Baynard Stadium Working Group includes:
Desmond Baker – Principal, Desmond Baker & Associates
Raymond Bivens – Delaware State Director of Parks and Recreation
Nnamdi Chukwuocha – Wilmington City Council Member, 1st District
Ernest “Trippi” Congo – Wilmington City Council Member, 2nd District
Demetrius DeRamus Sr. – Youth Football Coach/Organizer, Laborers International Union of North America
Charles “Bud” Freel – Wilmington City Council Member, 8th District
Earl Jeter – Principal, Jeter and Johnson, LLC
Kevin Kelley – Wilmington Director of Parks and Recreation (Chair)
Karla Levinson – Attorney , The Levinson Firm and a resident of the Triangle Community
Tom Ogden- Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office
Charles Potter – State Representative, 1st District
Baynard Stadium is owned by the City of Wilmington but is currently managed through an agreement with the State of Delaware’s Division of Parks and Recreation which also manages the City’s Brandywine and Rockford Parks. The stadium was originally built in 1922 and was renovated in 1972. Last year, a section of the stands was condemned by the City because of structural concerns and replaced with temporary seating. The stadium is used throughout the year for football games, track and field events and soccer, among other activities.