DPS breaks ground on $11M renovation of Welcome Stadium

DAYTON — Dayton Public Schools is spending $11 million to upgrade Welcome Stadium, which has faced a lot of scrutiny in recent years especially after the Bengals practiced on the field and star receiver A.J. Green got hurt.

Renovations are already underway to try and transform Welcome Stadium to its former glory and return it to being one of the most iconic venues in the Miami Valley.

Former NFL player Keith Byars said, “This is a piece of us.”

Byars is a 1982 Roth High School graduate and then went on to play football at Ohio State and the NFL.

“I was able to play in Welcome Stadium, held my football camps in the day here so this place is home to me. It’s long overdue for an upgrade/facelift whatever you want to call it,” Byars said.

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Byars said Welcome Stadium used to be a place that gave him bragging rights for people he played with in collage and the NFL. But now looking at the renderings he’s excited to have the stadium once again be a source of pride.

“This is one of the Meccas of high school football venues in all of Ohio. It would have to be Welcome Stadium just with the history and the legacy and that’s something you can’t buy.” Byars said.

>> Previous coverage: Dayton Public Schools to start process into renovating or replacing Welcome Stadium

The stadium means so much to so many even Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr., said so many of his memories at the once great facility.

“Then of course being a coach those again some of the happiest days of my life. I think I had more fun than the kids,” Mims said.

He even mentioned many of the nationally famous stars that go their start at Welcome Stadium.

“Ron Harper of course go this fame for five championship rings in basketball, but he was also my goalie in soccer. That’s something very few people are aware of,” Mims said.

The hope for many is that the renovations will attract new tournaments and activities to the area.

The new turf, track and lights should be finished for this fall with some of the other major upgrades completed by the fall of 2023

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