80-YEAR-STRUCTURE CLOSED

Damaschke Grandstand

Heading For Demolition

By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – With Damaschke Field's box seats condemned and its supports rusting, Common Council voted tonight to apply for a grant to demolish the 80-year-old city landmark.

"It's a touchy thing, but the building is old and it needs to come down," said Gary Laing, Oneonta Outlaws owner. "We've been talking about it for a few years now, but it's reached a critical stage."

"It's beyond repair," said Mayor Gary Herzig. "It needs to be completely replaced."

The grandstand was built in 1939 and seats 500. Earlier this season, the entire set of top boxes was condemned by the city. "That's when it really came to the forefront," said Laing. "It's decrepit."