By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The City of Buffalo wants to take back the Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium from Erie County. The county has been operating the complex at Jefferson and Best as part of the parks consolidation agreement. But Thursday morning, city and school district officials said they want to work together to operate the facility.
Mayor Anthony Masiello says students should have full access to the first class athletic facility.
"The Board of Education needs that venue for its great athletes," Masiello said. "This is contiguous to many of the schools in this neighborhood. The community and the board want to be involved in maintaining these (athletic)fields for Little League games. This is an excellent public-private partnership."
The school district would be responsible for funding the facility, but would utilize its own athletics department and maintenance staff to run the stadium.