PHOTO BY 1221 PHOTOGRAPHY
Jamie Toole and Melissa Gaynor are managers and partial owners of the Lucky Horseshoes. The couple says Robin Roberts Stadium, where the Horseshoes play, is in desperate need of upgrades if it is to succeed as a sporting and entertainment venue.
On June 26, I sent the following letter to the Springfield Park District board of directors.
I am writing to you with a profound sense of urgency and concern regarding the current state of Robin Roberts Stadium – a facility that should be a source of pride for the city of Springfield, especially as we prepare to host 17 visiting communities from across the Midwest for the 2025 Prospect League All-Star Game July 7-8.
Unfortunately, the stadium is in a state of disrepair that is not only unacceptable, but potentially dangerous, and undeniably embarrassing for a city with such a rich baseball tradition. While we appreciate the Springfield Park District’s efforts in the past, the current approach to maintenance and facility management has proven unsustainable. We are at a critical tipping point, and it is imperative that immediate, decisive action be taken to ensure that Robin Roberts Stadium does not follow the path of other neglected facilities like Chamberlain Park.
To cite just a few urgent and pressing issues:
Air conditioning failures: Four AC units have been down for over a week, subjecting staff, umpires and players to extreme and unsafe temperatures.
Field and stadium conditions: The warning track poses safety risks, field drainage is inadequate and there is zero maintenance beyond mowing and lining. Weeds, flowers and other plants are overtaking the playing surface and inconsistent irrigation is leading to dead grass and dangerously dusty playing conditions.
Concession and restroom facilities: There are active leaks in the main concession area, raising serious health code concerns. Women’s restrooms have locked stalls due to deferred maintenance, reducing access for fans. Rotting wood on concession doors adds to the unsafe and unsightly environment.
Electrical and lighting failures: Stadium lights are out, common area bulbs go unreplaced and electrical failures have impacted both the scoreboard and the public address system – vital components of the fan and player experience.
Sanitation and cleanliness: Trash and debris are regularly left uncollected. Stains and messes remain after events. Overgrowth of weeds and nonfunctional facade lighting at the entrance create a poor first impression of the stadium.
ADA noncompliance: The lack of sufficient ADA seating is a recurring concern from senior and disabled attendees. This is both a moral and legal issue that cannot be ignored.
The cumulative impact of these issues cannot be overstated. The facility is not just aging – it is deteriorating rapidly. And as we prepare to welcome regional attention in less than two weeks, the risks to our city’s reputation and the safety of everyone who uses the stadium grow by the day.
We respectfully urge the Springfield Park District board of directors to take immediate steps to pressure the executive director and relevant departments to address these problems without further delay. Robin Roberts Stadium deserves not just to be preserved but revitalized. We owe it to the legacy of the stadium, to our players and fans, and to the city of Springfield – particularly the taxpayers – to ensure that this venue reflects the pride and professionalism our community is known for.
Time is of the essence. We ask for your leadership and swift action to prevent this historic stadium from becoming another lost facility.