Coliseum Commission Considers Adding Seats, Keeping Track

The Coliseum Commission is considering plans to retain the running track, while trying to placate USC and the Raiders, major tenants of the Coliseum who are seeking more and better seating for football.

“The commission is looking into alternative proposals for putting in additional seats that would be retractable at both ends and both sides of the stadium,” Coliseum General Manager Jim Hardy said Wednesday.

Hardy said that the seats would cover the track and then could be removed in about eight hours so the track would be available for track meets and motor events.

“No decision has been made yet,” Hardy said. “USC and the Raiders favor lowering the field (thus eliminating the track) and adding more seats. The track and motor events people are, of course, opposed to this plan.

“So we’ve asked for proposals to make seats retractable to accommodate both interests.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Deane Dana, president of the Coliseum Commission, said in April that the current commission membership was opposed to removing the track.

Hardy doesn’t anticipate a final decision on the matter for at least two months.