A school district in Pennsylvania is changing community access to its stadium because of issues with vandalism and safety.
The McKeesport Area School District stadium will no longer be open outside of district events. According to a post on the district's Facebook page, the stadium will be closed to explore ways "to ensure safety for the community."
Athletic director Charley Kiss said the stadium is operational for district activities like football, track and classes, but after school and extracurricular use, the public will not have access as it previously did.
The doors will be locked, superintendent Dr. Tia Wanzo said. She told KDKA-TV there's more litter, loitering, and no one there to monitor the space later in the day.
There was some confusion Sunday and Monday after a social media post announced the changes.
Kiss said some took the notice to mean that the stadium wouldn't be open for any activities, but he said he and others have clarified that the closures entail anything outside of district use.
"Basically, just to say, hey once our district activities are done in the evening, you're going to find that facility to be locked," Kiss said.
There has been wear and tear on the facility due to extensive use.
"The stadium has also become a loitering spot for kids, and without adult supervision, the district is uncomfortable with the facility being open to the public at this time," Kiss said.
Kiss said he knows the facility is a community resource. He said the district is hopeful to have a more long-term solution to the problem in the coming weeks.
"As the days get longer and the temperatures get warmer, there's going to be more of a concern with the facility and having it be secured properly," Kiss said, as reported by WTAE-TV. "I think there will be some plans in place as the spring and summer rollout that we're going to have some staff members available."
Superintendent Wanzo told KDKA that a separate incident at the stadium added to the decision. Over President's Day weekend, parents reached out after a large group of students had been gathering there, which lead to an altercation. Wanzo said everyone's OK, but it's another reason for more adult supervision.
"Ninety-five percent of the time kids are going up there and doing what kids do. They're playing football, they're using the facility properly, and that's a shame to take that away from them but safety is always at the forefront of all of our minds," Kiss said.
More security, responsible actions and cleaning up, is all it takes to fully reopen the stadium it is hoped by summer or spring.
