PEABODY — Opposing fans at Peabody High School games will get to know one another this football season.
The untimely removal of the visiting team bleachers earlier this month means those at football and field hockey games, as well as track meets, will watch together from the home stands.
Earlier this month, athletic director Phil Sheridan made his annual call to the building commissioner's office to inspect the stadium for occupancy.
School officials learned the stands were considered "unsafe and dangerous to life and limb," according to an Aug. 8 letter from Building Commissioner Kevin Goggin.
"My impression was that other than replacing the boards, we were going to be OK," Sheridan said. However, the school district thought otherwise.
"The idea was to get them out before anybody got hurt," said Mayor Michael Bonfanti, the School Committee's chairman.
Goggin ordered Superintendent C. Milton Burnett to have the stands removed within seven days. To the surprise of high school officials, the bleachers were yanked out days later by outside contractors hired by the schools' business manager, Michael Musto.
"They just came in and took them down," Principal Edward Sapienza said.
Sheridan's understanding was that the city's insurance would no longer cover the bleachers and the building needed better fire safety access.
He didn't blame Goggin but disliked the timing.
"He's just doing his job," the athletic director said. "It's just unfortunate it came so close to the football season."
The athletic director said the removed bleachers were originally from Leo Buckley Stadium at the former high school. The stands lacked the safety features of current models, he said.
"To be honest, they're old," Sheridan said.
The athletic director said he received the occupancy permit for the stadium, but the seating will be significantly reduced. He estimated the lost seating at about 1,200.
The remaining bleachers can seat about 1,800, he said.
But elbow room will be lacking, since fans from two schools must share space with the Tanner Marching Band.
Sapienza, who coached football for years in North Reading, said it's not unusual to for fans to share bleachers.
"It's not the ideal situation, but it's not impossible either," he said.
Sheridan agreed. While it is different for Peabody, other schools have one section for fans, he said.
"We'll do the best we can with what we have," he said.
The athletic director said the change will likely mean increased security at games.
"Game management-wise, it will probably be a little more difficult," he said.
Sheridan said home games against Beverly and Revere will be tighter for seating. Peabody High's Thanksgiving game and Hall of Fame ceremonies will likely be cramped, too, he said.
The popular Peabody High-St. John's Prep game will be away, alleviating what would otherwise be a crush of fans.
The athletic director said he would be meeting with fellow directors in the Northeast Conference in coming weeks and would prepare them for the change.
It was unclear as of yesterday whether the stands would be replaced. Sapienza said the area may be paved over or seeded with grass.
"There's a small amount of discussion to do something about it, but I don't know what will happen," Sheridan said.
However, said Musto, after last night's School Committee meeting, "We're already looking into other possibilities," which might include portable bleachers if they're affordable.
The athletic director was confident fans would turn out for Tanner Football despite the team's struggle in recent seasons and the loss of seating.
"They're working hard. We're hoping for a good season," Sheridan said. "We're hoping they bring so many people out they'll have to buy new bleachers."
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