Fitzpatrick Stadium

Fitzpatrick Stadium is a 6,000 seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium in Portland, Maine.[1] It is located between Interstate 295, Hadlock Field baseball stadium, and the Portland Exposition Building, the second oldest arena in continuous operation in the United States. It is located across the street from Deering Oaks, a public park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Formerly known as Portland Stadium, it was renamed in 1989 to honor James J. Fitzpatrick, one of the most respected figures in Maine athletic history.

Fitzpatrick Stadium
Fitzy
Fitzpatrick Stadium, with Hadlock Field in the background in July 2008.
Former namesPortland Stadium
Location256 Deering Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
OwnerCity of Portland
OperatorCity of Portland
Capacity6,000
SurfaceFieldTurf
Tenants
Portland High School
Portland Pilots (1946–1949)

Renovations

In 2001, the stadium underwent a $1.4 million renovation project that included replacing the grass with FieldTurf, a new rubberized track and rest rooms. In November 2010, a $950,000 renovation project began to replace the bleachers. Modeled after Memorial Stadium at Deering High School, the bleachers hold 3,800 seats on the home side and 2,500 seats on the away side and have a dark blue backing in honor of Portland High School's colors. The Portland High School Bulldogs is the primary tenant. The city of Portland is paying for renovation out of the capital improvement fund.[2]

Events
  • Home field for Portland High School Bulldogs for almost all field sports, Southern Maine Raging Bulls, and Maine Tomcats of the New England Football League, state high school football championships, City of Portland high schools lacrosse league, Maine Elite Men's Lacrosse League, 2005 state high school lacrosse championship, and Maine Senior Games.
  • The facility is also used for occasional University of Maine Black Bears football games and local and high school soccer and track events. It was formerly home to the Portland Pilots from 1946 to 1949.[3]

In 1960, Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy spoke at Portland Stadium as part of his presidential campaign.[4]

References
  1. "Fitzpatrick Stadium". www.portlandmaine.gov. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  2. Take a seat at Fitzpatrick Stadium (on second thought, take 'em all) Portland Press Herald, December 1, 2010
  3. "Flashback: Fitzpatrick Stadium". Press Herald. 11 July 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. "Letters to the editor: JFK changed many in life and death". Press Herald. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2020.

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