Open Source: What happened to the concession stands at Memorial Park?

Editor’s Note: A previous version of the story had the incorrect demolition cost. The article has been updated with the correct cost.

MOUNT VERNON — Three Memorial Park concession stands are gone, leaving one Knox Pages reader to ask us: Why? 

City Recreation Director Jeff Derr said the city removed the Babe Ruth and softball field concession stands on March 5 due to safety concerns.

We are currently in design for the rebuilding of the structures, Derr said, though the city hasn’t set a completion date yet.

Derr said the three concession stands were beginning to show their age. It became a possible hazard due to structural damage. The Babe Ruth concession stand, located at the intersection of 108 Mount Vernon Ave. and Memorial Park, was built in 1978. Field one followed in 1980, and field three was added in 2000.

Babe Ruth Field’s age range is 13-17 years old. The softball fields start at 6 years old, up to 17, Derr said.

Derr said leagues using Memorial Park have access to electricity and water services on site and are “looking at different options for concessions,” noting it’s up to each league to decide what to do for concessions.

The total cost of the demolition of the three concession stand buildings was $7,285.00.