Sep
28
Miami Marine Stadium
Photo(Bullet, 2011): The 6,566 seat stadium was built on land donated for “water sports” such as hydroplane racing, but was later used for other sporting events and concerts.
Designed by architect Hilario Candela, a 28-year-old recent immigrant from Cuba, the stadium was built on Virginia Key as the United States’ first stadium purposely-built for powerboat racing on land donated to the City of Miami by the Matheson Family. Dedicated as the Ralph Munroe Marine Stadium, it was completed at a cost of around $2 million and opened in 1963.
Utilizing a floating stage in front of the grandstand, the stadium hosted many world class powerboat events including Unlimited Hydroplane, Inboard, Outboard, Performance Craft, Stock, Modified, and Grand National divisions as well as other special event races. The stadium would become the site of a number of nationally televised events including the Bill Muncey Invitational and the ESPN All American Challenge Series and in later years, would become host to different events ranging from boxing matches to classical concerts to Sunday services.
The stadium was also the site of the famous hug given to President Richard Nixon by Sammy Davis Jr. during a rally for his Presidential re-election.
Photo: Hilario Candela alongside the Marine Stadium during it’s construction.
Going into the 1980s, the stadium saw a decline in events due to a number of issues including new restrictions, political pressure from the City of Miami, and a lack for promoting such events. Along with the issues mentioned, the stadium was also facing growing competition from newer venues such as the James L. Knight Center and the Miami Arena.
The last major race at the stadium was the 1987 Inboard Hydroplane national Championship and by the 1990s, powerboat racing at the stadium was nothing but a memory.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida, causing billions of dollars worth in damages. After the storm, engineers for the city condemned the stadium due to cracks found in the foundation. In later years, independent engineers would declare the structure sound although needing refurbishing, estimating repairs to be around $2 million.
Photo(Bullet, 2011): If you’re up in the stands or below them, you’re sure to find destruction wherever you go.
On February 20, 2008, Friends of Miami Marine Stadium was formed, a group supporting the restoration of the stadium and since then, much progress has been made, including the designation of the stadium and basin as a historic place by Miami’s Historic Preservation and Environmental Board in 2008. It has also been recognized as an architectural masterpiece by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and World Monuments Fund.
On April 6, 2010, Miami-Dade County Commissioners passed a resolution to allocate $3-million to the stadium to start its historical preservation and return it as a venue for water sports and major concerts. It was only in March when an engineering study by the firm of Simpson Gumpertz found that renovating the stadium would cost between $5.5 and $8.5 million, which is substantially less than the $15 million the city of Miami initially said it would take to renovate the facility.
The stadium remains to be an eyesore to this day, attracting taggers, vagrants and other vandals to it’s grounds. Here’s hoping to the preservation and future of this marvelous piece of history.
Photos(Bullet, 2011): Nearly every inch of the facility is covered in graffiti.
Resources:
Friends of Miami Marine Stadium – A group dedicated to the preservation of the stadium.
Google News Archive-1972 article of President Nixon’s visit to Miami.
National Trust for Historic Places – The Marine Stadium is listed as an “endangered” historic place
Wikipedia – Entry on South Florida pioneer, Ralph Monroe
Youtube – The 5th Annual Mike Gordon 100
Youtube – The 1969 Eastern Divisional Championships
