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A big, expensive mistake
Re-building the Albi Stadium at the existing site is a $30 million, 50-year, mistake! The stadium has decayed. The promotional and financial support is downtown.
The recent proposed rock concert promotion is an example of the love, nostalgia and meaning Albi Stadium has in all our lives: WSU football home field for decades; Seattle Seahawks games; car racing; national rodeos; high school football and soccer; learning how to drive; Junior Bloomsday; concerts (Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Beach Boys - major rock concerts). Sixty years of wonderful memories; what’s good about Spokane.
Location, promotional and financial support is downtown. Albi Stadium high school sports — free parking; centrally located for all Spokane (including Spokane Valley); Public Facilities District and Youth Sports Commission support; potential state and local capital funds; $2 million savings; more revenue — generating lighted fields at present Albi site; legislative support from Marcus Riccelli; Andy Biggs and others; professional sports brings revenue and coming together of community; business and civic leader support. The promotional and financial horsepower is downtown.
I believe the Riverfront Park gondola ride was donated to Expo ‘74 by the A.R.T. — presently “Skyride.”
We should honor Joe Albi, thousands of contributing citizens, A.R.T. members — including Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Lana Turner. Joe Albi started and managed the A.R.T. downtown. Let’s bring his statue and stadium back downtown — where it all started.
James Albi
Spokane