
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, July 8, 1990                   TAG: 9007100427
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: D2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FLEMING FIELD HOUSE NEEDS REPLACING

IN DECEMBER 1989, the William Fleming High School field house and its contents were destroyed by fire. This facility housed the lockers, showers, coach's office, bathroom, rest area, valuable sports uniforms and equipment.

The equipment has been partially replaced by insurance. A contract has been awarded to rebuild. Parents were informed that there was a projected deadline of Aug. 17, 1990, but that this was not a priority matter. Work has not yet started, but it has only been six months.

I do not appreciate my child's participating in vigorous workouts for hours and then not being able to cool down and shower, or having to drop his personal belongings on the floor because he has no facilities. These children also must cross the field to use the restroom. This seems ironic, doesn't it?

I wonder how long the reconstruction would take if our school was that of a city official or school-board member's child?

\ DOROTHY GATES\ ROANOKE

by CNB