Featured image credit: Ben Schumin/CC BY-SA 2.5/Edited for size
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, has announced the start of Farewell RFK Stadium, a campaign to celebrate the venue’s legacy ahead of its demolition.
RFK Stadium served as the home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) from 1961 to 1996 before the team moved to FedExField. RFK Stadium’s atmosphere spurred the team on to three Super Bowl triumphs in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The stadium also hosted Major League Baseball teams the Washington Senators and Nationals from 1962 to 1971 and 2005 to 2007, respectively, and Major League Soccer outfit D.C. United from 1996 to 2017.
It was announced in September 2019 that the 47,000-seat stadium would be demolished and Events DC, which manages the venue, has detailed plans for fans to retain a part of its history.
To launch the Farewell RFK Stadium campaign, an initial selection of orange wooden and plastic seating from its lower bowl is now available for public purchase. Stadium seats can be ordered online and are priced between $350 (£306/€351) and $500.
Additional seats, including wooden burgundy and gold seats from the stadium’s upper bowl and other commemorative merchandise, will be available in 2023. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the stadium seats and memorabilia will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington and St. Coletta of Greater Washington.
Events DC is currently in the process of formally convening a group of stakeholders from RFK Stadium’s lifespan and surrounding neighbourhood that will guide the planning of public celebratory events until the end of 2023.
Samuel Thomas, Events DC interim president and chief executive, said: “The Farewell RFK Stadium campaign will include elements of public participation that sparks nostalgia, reminds us of memorable moments that happened here and include all of the organisations and partners that fans love. There will be something for everyone and we welcome the participation from the greater Washington, DC community in sharing their own RFK Stadium stories with us.”
Events DC announced last month that work on the abatement and select demolition of RFK Stadium is continuing. Smoot Construction Company and its sub-consultants are continuing asbestos abatement work, universal waste removal, disposal of non-hazardous materials and demolition of non-structural components within the stadium, with work to continue over the coming months.
No specific date for the demolition of the stadium has been set, but it will take place before the end of 2023.
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