Glatfelter Memorial Field Main Gate Restoration Fund Drive

The Glatfelter Memorial Field Trust will conduct a solicitation drive for the purpose of raising funds to repair and restore the main entrance way to the historic facility located at 1249 Lancaster Avenue in Columbia.

The brick entrance way was constructed in 1936 on land located in the east end of Columbia for the recreational benefit of the borough and area residents. The sports complex was built by the Workers Progress Administration during the National Depression of the 1930’s, to put unemployed citizens back to work. At that time, in addition to the main gate, a grandstand was also constructed along with the grading of a football field, baseball field and tennis courts. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with dwarf maple trees and large sycamore trees, many still standing today.

When the facility was completed in 1936, it was dedicated to the memory of Lt Richard Glatfelter, a graduate of Columbia High School and the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1933. Lt. Glatfelter was killed in automobile accident near Downingtown, PA, during his first assignment at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Richard’s father, David L. Glatfelter donated the land to memorialize his son.

The field was first used as the home for Columbia High School athletics and boasted the best football stadium in south central Pennsylvania. In 1963, The high school then moved its playing fields to its current campus location at 901 Ironville Pike. 

The field was also host to the town’s semi-professional football team in the early 1960’s – the Columbia Raiders. The Closing Ceremonies for both the 1938 Columbia Sesquicentenntial Celebration and the 1988 Columbia Bicentennial Celebration were held here. In September of 2002 on the first anniversary of 9-11 the Glatfelter Memorial Field Trust in collaboration with the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission planted nine trees on the west side of the front lawn and eleven trees on the east side in memory of the 2,977 citizens who perished during the terrorist attack on our nation. Several Arbor Day celebrations have also been held at the park, as well as car shows and Lancaster County Firemen Conventions. 

The field has also hosted the National Night Out event, sponsored by the Columbia Borough Police Department, on the first Tuesday in August since 2011, except for 2020 and 2021 when the event was cancelled due to covid

In the 1970’s, the Columbia Area Jaycees “adopted” the facility and created a “Park & Picnic Area” theme. The Jaycees then went on to build the large pavilion with funds supported by a town wide canvas and maintain by annual fairs held over Labor Day weekends. Other improvement projects were secured with Community Development Block Grants. In 1989, The Columbia Basketball Court Association built a new basketball court which  has hosted several summer leagues in the past and has been used by many throughout  the years. Many families have gathered at the park and pavilion to hold annual reunions in the summertime.

 In 2016 individuals volunteered their time and experience in constructing a brand new “state of the art” bathroom facility.

Since the early 1960’s the field has served as home to the Columbia Boys Athletic Association. Many summertime and autumn memories were made here on the manicured fields. In the past, the CBAA also sponsored the Joe Kratzer Memorial Baseball Tournament which featured outstanding midget baseball clubs from York and Lancaster Counties. In the late 1970’s the organization built a concession stand to assist in offsetting costs of running an organization of this magnitude. Other long-term tenants that used the field are the Columbia Mariners Soccer Club and the Columbia Street Hockey League. The Smith’s Hotel Baseball Team participated in the Susquehanna Baseball League for many years and produced highly completive and championship caliber clubs. 

Over the last 86 years, the main gate structure has been structurally  compromised from rain, snow and the expansion and contraction of ice that seeped behind the walls. Large vertical and horizonal cracks, displacement of limestone panels, and cracked and stained brick veneer are easily viewable on all elevations of the building. A majority of the veneer brick of limestone panels are showing outward displacement from the original points. The six entranceway gates will  be removed and “powder coated” before being reattached to the structure. 

For all the wonderful memories created at the field by so many groups and individuals, along with the field being part of the historic fabric of our town, the Board of Directors determined that the main gate entranceway landmark be restored and saved from the wrecking ball, as architectural preservationists and historians alike have noted that “once a structure is razed, it is gone forever”. The $82,000 restoration project will correct all potential liability issues and provide protection to extend the life of the structure for many, many years to come. 

The Glatfelter Board of Directors have chosen Audrey Kuhn to be the Honorary Chairperson of the fund drive. Audrey is the widow of Mike Kuhn, who was a past president of the Glatfelter Memorial Field Trust, actively serving on the board for many years before his passing in February 2022. Audrey also volunteered numerous hours to the field’s  upkeep, maintenance, and fund-raising events. 

Current Board members are Bill Kloidt -President, Robin Gamby- Secretary, Kevin Kraft, Andy Ohrel, and Carl Glatfelter - Treasurer. Carl is the son of former longtime board member Philip Glatfelter, who passed away in 2016. Jack Gamby voluntarily serves as Park Maintenance Supervisor and Brian Miller is the Groundskeeper. Also providing volunteer maintenance assistance are the Columbia Park Rangers, the Lancaster County Detachment # 294 Marine Corp League, Millersville University, and the Lancaster Rugby Club.

Please consider donating to this historic and well-known Columbia sports complex by mailing a check to:

Glatfelter Memorial Field Foundation

954 Lindsay Lane

Lancaster, PA  17601

Levels of giving are:

Duty- Gift of $2,500 or more

Honor- Gift of $1,000 or more

Country- Gift of up to $500

Duty and Honor Donors will be recognized on a plaque mounted on the main gate entranceway. All donors will be recognized on social media. 

Shown in the photo are Bill Kloidt, President of the Glatfelter Memorial Field Trust, and Audrey Kuhn, Honorary Chairperson of the Fund Drive to support the Main Gate Entranceway Restoration Project. They are viewing plans in front on the structure, where the project is well underway. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PRESS RELEASE, CONTACT BILL KLOIDT AT (717) 201-5134.