Hobart may acquire Brickie Bowl stadium from school district

HOBART | Ownership of the Brickie Bowl stadium may soon be transferred from the School City of Hobart to the city, officials said.

School Board President Terry Butler and Mayor Brian Snedecor confirmed Tuesday that ongoing discussions have become serious about a possible property swap between the two entities.

The proposed swap would entail the city taking over ownership of the Brickie Bowl and an adjacent parking lot off East Fourth Street.

The school corporation, in exchange, would obtain the city-owned property behind Fire Station No. 1 adjacent to Joan Martin Elementary School on 10th Street. 

Although no deadline has been set, Butler and Snedecor said the swap could take place once the move is formally approved by city and school officials.

"The city would love for the city to utilize the property. It would be a nice Christmas present," Butler said.

Attorneys from the school district and the city have been working to finalize the deed paperwork, Snedecor said.

"We're in the final steps," Snedecor said.

Snedecor said the Board of Public Works and the City Council would have to approve the agreement.

"We're looking forward to it," Snedecor said.

Snedecor said Brickie Bowl, which is adjacent to the Police, Court and Community Center, could be used for a variety of events, including community and youth activities.

No money will be changed as part of the swap, Snedecor and Butler said.

"It's always been our intention to have the city take the Brickie Bowl over," Butler said.

The School Board considered the possibility of renovating the Brickie Bowl and continuing to use it for football games when the new high school on 10th Street was built a few years ago, Butler said.

However, safety and costs were factored into the decision to move the majority of the school's sports activities, including football, to the new high school.

"It was a unique place to play football," Butler said of the Brickie Bowl.

Butler said he attended rival Merrillville High School but had sons who attended Hobart High School and played football there.