In 1963, The Miami Marine Stadium opened with much fanfare and hope for the future:
“The Marine Stadium is daring in design and concept and gives high promise of becoming one of the community’s most valuable assets, both as a tourist attraction and for the entertainment of residents. (WGBS Radio, Editorial, December 26, 1963)
And that it did. Over the years, boat races, operas, rock concerts, church services, all made use of the stadium.
But it struggled financially. Often, the stadium and area around it was closed to the public. As it is today.
As early as 1965, newspaper articles noted and lamented that state of affairs.
“We rode across the Rickenbacker Causeway the other warm afternoon, and it was sad to see the doors of the new Marine stadium tightly padlocked,” stated a July 20, 1965 Miami Herald article.
The article suggests the land around the stadium should be transformed into “landscaped picnic areas.” And asks a question that lingers today: “Why shouldn’t small boats be launched - for a small fee -- into the bay at this point instead of at Crandon Marina?”
Indeed. The public boat launch in the Marine Stadium basin has been closed for years. And there is no public boat house for the renting of canoes, small sailboats or kayaks.
So what is the best use of the Stadium and the acres of land around it?
In a series of public meetings and charettes, hundreds of interested citizens weighed in: refurbish the stadium. Even make it the official visitor’s center to Virginia Key island. Bring back boat races, concerts, public events.
As for the area around it -- acres of defunct parking lots -- the consensus was to return it to public uses - boat and bike rentals, parks, a waterfront promenade. Make it accessible. And keep it free of commercial intrusions.
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On Facebook: Friends of Virginia Key
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