KIRKWOOD, Mo. — The Kirkwood Athletic Association fields off Marshall Road will soon be demolished.
The city of Kirkwood voted to approve the demolition and clearance of the fields after several break-ins, vandalism and being in a state of despair.
"After review of the property it has been determined that the rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the existing structures and property is cost prohibitive in their current form," the Kirkwood City Council agenda said.
It served Kirkwood and the surrounding communities since 1960, according to its website.
KAA has had several years of hardship. In 2019, the nearby Meramec River spilled over its banks during a rain storm, flooding the fields and affecting most of the season. In 2020, and 2021, the pandemic and in 2022, it was unable to raise enough money to cover costs to offer baseball and softball leagues.
The property was turned over to the city in February 2023.
The Kirkwood City Council approved a $98,000 bid to demolish the structures and fields.
A timeline for the demolition was released and it is unclear what the space may be in the future.
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