Historic Huntsville stadium aims for more than flag football
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Two 70-yard by 30-yard flag football fields and two pickleball courts are planned at Goldsmith-Schiffman. Image: Courtesy of City of Huntsville
Huntsville is hoping to turn a 90-year-old football stadium into a community-focused park, football included, for the Five Points area.
Why it matters: Huntsville has been investing in upgraded sports facilities and quality-of-life improvements as the city grows — and the plan to renovate Goldsmith-Schiffman Field is its latest example.
Catch up quick: The stadium was constructed in 1934 and donated by its namesake family to the city in 2014, two years after city schools stopped using it for athletic events.
- It's now used for flag football matches, and renovation plans shared by the city last week include two 30- by-70-yard flag football fields.
State of Play: Huntsville Parks and Recreation Director James Gossett tells Axios Huntsville that 67 flag football games were played at the field last year, as well as soccer and ultimate frisbee matches.
- Flag football has seen a steady climb in popularity, he said, especially in recent years. From 2022-2024, the number of teams grew from 55 to 94.
- The city hopes the renovation will encourage participation in flag football, Gossett says, but also uses beyond the field.
What they're saying: "If a parent wants to get some steps in while their child plays or practices, they can do that," he said. "The playground will also be the newest and most modern one in the area."
Alongside the playground with rubberized surface, plans include two pickleball courts, an elevated restroom pavilion, walking trail and benches.
- Civil engineer Foresite was contracted last year for the work, which is expected to take 15 months once construction starts next year.
The facility's rock wall, which the city notes is deteriorating in some spots, must be removed in places per federal floodplain regulations.
- It will be preserved on all four corners of the stadium and along its western side.
Zoom out: The stadium was used for city school football games until 2012, when local middle and high school programs outgrew it. Huntsville Parks and Recreation started using it the next year.
- A public input session was held Aug. 12. Gossett says that overall, the public's reaction has been positive.