Festus R-6 sets opening hours for public use of stadium | Local News

The Festus R-6 Board of Education recently voted to restrict public use of the Tiger Stadium facility during nighttime hours.

Not only does the school district use the facility on Sunshine Drive for sports practices, games and other events, but community members often use the stadium’s track for walking and running, and groups sometimes use the field for various sports.

However, on Oct. 24, the school board voted unanimously to place restrictions on stadium entry, and the stadium is now completely closed to the public from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.

There are no time restrictions on weekends, but access is only possible via a turnstile at one entrance to the facility.

The restrictions came into effect immediately after the vote.

Superintendent Nicki Ruess said a series of vandalism incidents led to the change.

“Tiger Stadium has been open to the public without restrictions (in the past),” Ruess said. “We have had several incidents of vandalism – spray painting, urinating on the building and leaving trash and debris on the track.”

She said the restricted work hours coincide with the caregivers’ work hours.

“The stadium entrances will be locked at 10:30 a.m. when the evening guards leave their shift and will open at 6 a.m. when the day guard shift arrives,” Ruess said.

She said custodial staff were off on weekends and would not be available to lock stadium entrances on those days. However, forcing those entering the stadium to use the turnstile limits what they can take with them.

While R-6 officials understand that a significant number of people in the community use the facility, they also must protect county property.

“We have a lot of community members who train on the track and field, so we want to continue to be a community partner but also keep the track and field in good shape,” she said.