Hancock County, W.Va.

Hancock CountySchools Superintendent Sue Smith said board members declared Jimmy Carey Stadium and Veterans Memorial Stadium surplus property.

Now Smith is tasked with finding potential buyers to take over the old fields.

Smith said officials wanted to make sure Weir High and Oak Glen's new multimillion-dollar stadiums would be ready to go for the fall before they looked to let go of the old fields.

A community member said knowing the stadiums could be used as something that would benefit the local economy is welcoming news.

"Anything that would generate the economy and bring in a new venue that would be beneficial to the existing residents would be great," said Douglas Brenham.

Smith said in particular that Veterans Memorial's prime location along Route 2 is sure to draw in potential buyers.

Smith confirmed local business owners and community leaders are among those who have inquired about the property.

There is the potential to turn the space into an entertainment area, or use as space for business growth.

And growth is what Brenham said is a must.

"I think they need to put it in steroids and bump it up some because they're competing. I mean, it's a bedroom community to Pittsburgh. They're doing things in the Steubenville area. Beautification downtown is one thing, but there's no sense beautifying it if you don't have people that are going to appreciate the beauty," he said.