Clarke Stadium
Encyclopedia
Clarke Stadium, in its original incarnation, was a Canadian football
stadium
located in Edmonton, Alberta.
of the Canadian Football League
from 1954-1978, following which the team moved to Commonwealth Stadium
, which had been built adjacent to Clarke Stadium in preparation for the 1978 Commonwealth Games
. Clarke stadium was used for local and minor league sporting events after the departure of the Eskimos. The stadium was named after former Edmonton mayor Joseph Andrew Clarke
. The stadium was effectively demolished on May 3, 2000.
hosted in Edmonton) and now seats approximately 1,200 fans in a single grandstand. The original grass playing surface was also replaced with artificial turf to allow for greater usage as part of the facility upgrade. The stadium is currently used for university, minor and intramural sports. Clarke Park, as the remodelled stadium is often known, is also used for concerts and other events. Including the playing surface, the capacity of the stadium can exceed 6,000 for concerts and non-sporting events.
of 2004 both attempted to draw crowds to the much larger Commonwealth Stadium before retreating to Clake Stadium when they were unable to fill Commonwealth or turn a profit. In both cases the move the Clarke Stadium was followed closely by the team folding.
The Edmonton Brickmen
of the 1980s and 90s also played here but played most matches at John Ducey Park
, which was primarily a baseball diamond.
Canadian football
Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
located in Edmonton, Alberta.
History
The stadium was originally built in 1938 on land deeded to the City for the purpose of constructing public sports fields by Mackenzie King (a personal friend of then Mayor Clarke). The original Clarke Stadium accommodated approximately 20,000 fans in the spartan conditions consistent with its era. The seating area consisted of two grandstands on opposing sidelines (no "endzone" stands originally, but these were added in later years). The stadium hosted the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
from 1954-1978, following which the team moved to Commonwealth Stadium
Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)
Commonwealth Stadium is a sports stadium located in the Norwood Area of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, primarily used by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton.- History :...
, which had been built adjacent to Clarke Stadium in preparation for the 1978 Commonwealth Games
1978 Commonwealth Games
The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 3 to 12 August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec...
. Clarke stadium was used for local and minor league sporting events after the departure of the Eskimos. The stadium was named after former Edmonton mayor Joseph Andrew Clarke
Joseph Clarke
Joseph Andrew Clarke was a Canadian politician and lawyer. He served twice as mayor of Edmonton, Alberta, was a candidate for election to the Canadian House of Commons and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and was a member of the Yukon Territorial Council .-Early life:Clarke was born in...
. The stadium was effectively demolished on May 3, 2000.
Remodelled Clarke Stadium
The facility was rebuilt in 2000 (in preparation for use as a 'secondary' stadium for events of the 2001 World Championships in Athletics2001 World Championships in Athletics
The 8th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada between 3 August and 12 August and was the first time the event had visited North America...
hosted in Edmonton) and now seats approximately 1,200 fans in a single grandstand. The original grass playing surface was also replaced with artificial turf to allow for greater usage as part of the facility upgrade. The stadium is currently used for university, minor and intramural sports. Clarke Park, as the remodelled stadium is often known, is also used for concerts and other events. Including the playing surface, the capacity of the stadium can exceed 6,000 for concerts and non-sporting events.
Soccer
The Edmonton Drillers of the 1970s and the Edmonton AviatorsEdmonton Aviators
The Edmonton Aviators were a soccer club based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club was founded in 2003 as a member of the United Soccer League's North American A-League and folded after playing only one season, 2004. Midway through the season, with the club in financial trouble, the league took it over...
of 2004 both attempted to draw crowds to the much larger Commonwealth Stadium before retreating to Clake Stadium when they were unable to fill Commonwealth or turn a profit. In both cases the move the Clarke Stadium was followed closely by the team folding.
The Edmonton Brickmen
Edmonton Brickmen
The Edmonton Brickmen were an Edmonton, Alberta-based soccer club that competed in two now-defunct leagues: the Western Soccer Alliance and the Canadian Soccer League.-History:...
of the 1980s and 90s also played here but played most matches at John Ducey Park
John Ducey Park
John Ducey Park was a 6,500 seat baseball stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Originally built in 1935, it was torn down after sixty years of use in 1995 and replaced by Telus Field on the same site...
, which was primarily a baseball diamond.