Cory Lidle Sculpture to Be Re-Dedicated at Big League Dreams West Covina
Date of Release: November 7, 2014
In the early morning hours of February 21, 2014, metal thieves attempted to destroy the bronze sculpture of former West Covina resident and New York Yankee star Cory Lidle that was on display in front of Big League Dreams in West Covina.
The Cory Lidle Sculpture was the City of West Covina’s first sponsored public art project and depicts former West Covina resident Cory Lidle (Cory Lidle was a former New York Yankee Pitcher and South Hills High School Alumni-Class of 1990 who was killed in an airplane accident in 2006). The sculpture was dedicated on Saturday, October 27, 2007, to coincide with the opening of the new Big League Dreams sports park.
The nine (9) foot bronze sculpture was designed and sculpted by San Antonio, Texas artist, Don Hunt. In 2007, Mr. Hunt talked about his inspiration for the sculpture, “My process for developing the concept for the work began with research of Cory Lidle on various web sites. The City of West Covina and Lidle Family also provided me with various photos of Cory pitching and personal times with his family. As I continued my research my interest in him grew and I took on a personal relationship where I felt I became good friends with Cory as I studied the photos. My interest became so great that I was motivated to dedicate many extra hours to extreme detail, especially in the face, hands, uniform and glove. This was a very emotional and personally rewarding experience.” Don Hunt passed away in 2011.
After nine-months of rehabilitation, the City of West Covina is proud to announce the re-dedication of the Cory Lidle Sculpture will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. The City of West Covina will be joined by the Lidle Family and all those that help to restore the sculpture at a ceremony at Big League Dreams (2100 South Azusa Avenue).
“The vandalism of the Cory Lidle sculpture was a deplorable act,” said West Covina Mayor Steve Herfert, “Thanks to the hard work of many individuals, the sculpture has been repaired and will be a lasting tribute to Cory for all of the community to enjoy, and for the hope and dreams of every baseball player in our City.”
The repairs to the sculpture was managed by Lesley Elwood of Elwood & Associates, with repairs done by Roger Green of Exclusive Welding; Mel Green-Structural Engineering; Sandy Decker of Decker Studios; and Rosa Lowinger & Associates. Special thanks to Big League Dreams for their support and management of the repairs and for improving security at the complex.
The vandalism of the sculpture received national attention and condemnation from thousands across the country to those responsible for the damage. They have not been found. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the West Covina Police Department at (626) 939-8557.
For more information, about the dedication, please contact the Community Services Department at (626) 939-8430 or at www.westcovina.org.
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Information released by:
West Covina Police Department
Public Information Officer Rudy Lopez
1444 West Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626 939-8500
Web: www.westcovina.org/departments/police-department
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WestCovinaPD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestCovinaPD
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Address/Location
West Covina Police Department
1444 W. Garvey Ave.
West Covina, CA 91791
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 626-939-8500
City of West Covina Community Services Department
626-939-8430
2100 South Azusa Avenue
West Covina, CA 91792