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Perkins Field, where the Bridgeport High School Bulldogs played football for generations, was a showpiece. The Bill Jobko Stadium boasted a covered seating area over an old-fashioned wooden grandstand. But time and regular floods took their toll. The stadium is beyond repair.
School district officials had hoped to construct a new stadium at another site, up out of the floodplain. But public opposition to use of eminent domain to obtain land for the facility killed the idea. Now, the proposal is to return to Perkins Field.
No doubt some BHS fans would like to see the board of education build a new stadium much like the old one. That would be irresponsible.
For one thing, the Bridgeport school district's student enrollment has shrunk dramatically, along with population in the village it serves. Half a century ago, Bridgeport had more than 3,000 residents. Today, there are just 1,766, according to the Census Bureau.
Flooding is another challenge. Building an elaborate new permanent grandstand at the site would mean more damage and deterioration due to high water.
School officials reportedly are considering various possibilities. One is construction of a permanent grandstand smaller than the old one, possibly on fill dirt trucked into the site to raise the new facility up out of at least some floods. Use of temporary bleachers to seat at least some fans also is being discussed.
What to do about dressing and shower facilities for teams competing at the field, concession stands and restrooms for fans also must be worked out.
School pride is a powerful, often constructive thing. In this situation, it should not be permitted to sway officials into making plans that are unwise for taxpayers, however.
Perkins Field will be used a handful of times each fall. Bridgeport students are required to be in school at least 1,001 hours a year. Committing an inordinate amount of money to the football facility and thus, reducing funds available for other school purposes, would be the wrong thing to do.