Coliseum might not stage City games

For 12 years, the City Section has played its City Championship Division football final at the Coliseum. But that streak may be coming to an end.

John Aguirre, a City Section administrator, said Wednesday that the district and Coliseum officials are far apart in proposed rental costs, forcing the City to begin a search for another site.

Aguirre said he had an agreement to play the City Championship Division final at the Coliseum on Dec. 13, but no longer.

“I was verbally given significantly less in prices,” he said of the original proposal.

A written proposal to rent the Coliseum is $30,000 above what the City had planned for, Aguirre said. The total cost to play one game is $60,000, and to play two games would be more than $75,000.

L.A. Southwest College and four high schools -- Lake Balboa Birmingham, Crenshaw, Granada Hills and San Pedro -- are being considered as sites for the City Championship Division final Dec. 13 and the City Invitational final Dec. 12.

Aguirre said he is still planning to make a counteroffer to the Coliseum this week, but he’s not optimistic of getting an agreement that the City Section can afford.

Not playing at the Coliseum would be a big disappointment to the high school football players in the City Section. The game has been played at the 85-year-old historic facility every season since 1996 and also at times in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

“It’s something kids that play there will never forget, and it’s sad that the city can’t work with its school district to make it happen,” said Birmingham Coach Ed Croson, whose team has won the last two City Championships.

The Coliseum is jointly operated by the city, Los Angeles County and the state.

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eric.sondheimer@latimes.com