Fitzpatrick Stadium
Fitzy | |
 Fitzpatrick Stadium in 2024 | |
 | |
| Full name | James J. Fitzpatrick Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Portland Stadium |
| Address | 140 Deering Avenue |
| Location | Portland, Maine, United States |
| Public transit |  Downeaster at Portland Greater Portland Metro: 5 |
| Owner | City of Portland |
| Operator | City of Portland |
| Capacity | 6,000 5,500 (USL Configuration)[1] |
| Surface | FieldTurf (2001–present) Grass (1930–2001) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1930 |
| Renovated | 2001, 2010, 2024 |
| Tenants | |
| Portland Hearts of Pine (USL1) (2025–present) Portland High School Bulldogs (MPA) (1930–present) Portland Pilots (NEL) (1946–1949) | |
| Website | |
| portlandmaine.gov | |
James J. Fitzpatrick Stadium (formerly, Portland Stadium) is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose outdoor stadium in Portland, Maine, United States.[2] Built in 1930, it sits between Interstate 295, Hadlock Field baseball stadium, King Middle School, and the Portland Exposition Building. It is located across Deering Avenue from Deering Oaks Park. It was renamed in 1989 to honor James J. Fitzpatrick. It is the primary stadium for Portland High School athletics and the USL League One team Portland Hearts of Pine.
History
[edit]Portland Stadium was built in 1930 to replace the smaller Bayside Park, a baseball stadium.[3] The Portland Pilots, a minor league baseball team playing in the New England League as an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, played at what was then known as Portland Stadium from 1946 until the league's dissolution in 1949.[4]
In 2001, the stadium received a $1.4 million renovation replaced the grass with FieldTurf, gave the track with a rubberized surface, and added rest rooms.
In November 2010, a $950,000 renovation began to replace the bleachers. Modeled after Memorial Stadium at Deering High School, the bleachers hold approximately 3,500 seats on the home side and 2,500 seats on the away side. The Portland High School Bulldogs are the primary tenant. The city of Portland paid for the renovation out of the capital improvement fund.[5]
Events
[edit]Fitzpatrick Stadium is the home field for the Portland Hearts of Pine and Portland High School Bulldogs. The stadium is used for state high school football championships, the City of Portland high schools lacrosse league, Maine Elite Men's Lacrosse League, state high school lacrosse championships, and the Maine Senior Games. The facility has occasionally hosted University of Maine Football games and local and high school soccer and track events. It was home to the Portland Pilots from 1946 to 1949.[6]
In 1960, Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy spoke at Portland Stadium during his presidential campaign.[7]
In September 2023, investors known as USL to Portland were awarded a future USL League One team Portland Hearts of Pine.[8] In November 2023, the Portland City Council approved a lease that will allow the team to begin play at Fitzpatrick Stadium in 2025.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hearts of Pine close to selling out of tickets for inaugural season". Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Fitzpatrick Stadium". www.portlandmaine.gov. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Greater Portland Landmarks - Blog". Greater Portland Landmarks. September 23, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Flashback: Fitzpatrick Stadium". Press Herald. July 11, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
- ^ "Take a seat at Fitzpatrick Stadium (on second thought, take 'em all)". Press Herald. December 1, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Flashback: Fitzpatrick Stadium". Press Herald. July 11, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ "Letters to the editor: JFK changed many in life and death". Press Herald. November 22, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ Craig, Steve (September 7, 2023). "Men's pro soccer team coming to Portland, slated for 2025 start". Press Herald.
- ^ "Portland will let professional soccer team use Fitzpatrick Stadium". Bangor Daily News. November 16, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Fitzy
- FieldTurf chosen to replace grass at Fitzpatrick Stadium
- University of Maine Black Bears to play at Fitzpatrick
- Fitzpatrick Stadium the right spot for high school championships
- Photo, 1948: Opening day for the Portland Pilots
- American football venues in Maine
- Sports venues in Portland, Maine
- High school football venues in the United States
- Maine Black Bears football
- Lacrosse venues in the United States
- Soccer venues in Maine
- Portland Hearts of Pine
- 1930 establishments in Maine
- Sports venues completed in 1930
- USL League One stadiums
- College football venues in the United States