ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 TAG: 9606110012
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WILLIAM G. CHESTER
I WANT to discuss some of the inherent changes in school planning and organization to be faced in the near future. I refer especially to site selection relative to the achievement of racial balance resulting from recent federal court decisions. I also wish to suggest some possible uses of Victory Stadium, with or without alterations.
The abandonment of equal but separate schools and African-Americans' recent rejection of integration has won federal court approval for a return to neighborhood schools. The court stated that would increase parental involvement and arrest "white flight.'' Court decisions have also been influenced by demographic studies at Harvard, forecasting a half-nonwhite population by the year 2050, and school enrollments of similar proportions by 2020.
School boards should be aware of these changes in planning for new schools. They should also become aware of new opportunities to achieve economies. It may be premature to engage in large new building projects until the future becomes more stable. For now, necessary alterations to provide air-conditioning, additional space, etc., must be made where needed.
Consider the following:
* With the present demand for pre-kindergarten care, as women with children are forced into the work-family conundrum to maintain a satisfactory standard of living, the question arises: Should this be a public or a family responsibility?
* Regardless of court decisions favoring neighborhood schools, extend the use of classrooms to 4 p.m. as many other countries have done.
* The return to neighborhood schools should eliminate the need for school buses, except for children with disabilities.
* Cities should provide sidewalks and assistance at dangerous crossings on all school routes.
* Student parking at school sites require as much space as the buildings, and shouldn't be provided at public expense.
Also, where ideal sites are unavailable and flood plains must be considered, a resort to an unorthodox solution could be considered. Parking could be at the basement level where flooding is possible. The main floor and front entrance would be on the second floor, reached by an elevated road. The parking area could be reached by ramps and protected from flooding by dikes, if necessary.
Victory Stadium was designed to contain two floors above the ground floor, under the stands, and to be connected to an armory that wasn't built because of World War II. This would have provided about 28,000 square feet of office and storage for military use. This space is available, and could be used by the city for office space or for recreational facilities for young people. The present 264 feet between the stands is ample for soccer, softball, tennis, etc. The race track could be used for roller skating, bicycling, foot racing, etc. Instead of providing separate stadiums for schools, Victory Stadium could be used for schools' athletic events.
To prevent flooding, a dike could be built across the southern end. Or widen the field to 294 feet by eliminating six rows of seats from each side and raising the field elevation with fill to prevent flooding. This would also provide space for widening the race track. A professional baseball field might also be considered.
William G. Chester of Roanoke was a partner and chief designer in the former firm of Smithey and Boynton, Architects, and designed Victory Stadium and many schools in Roanoke and throughout Virginia.oke and throughout Virginia.
LENGTH: Medium: 71 linesby CNB