Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 27, 1995 TAG: 9505300045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The city might offer a site for the rink if it is not built at Northside High School.
Mayor David Bowers and School Board Chairman Nelson Harris said Friday that Roanoke should investigate putting the rink at a school or on other city property.
They were reacting to a news report that the proposed Northside rink is in jeopardy because the potential investors have not reached agreement with the county School Board.
Bowers and Harris said they hope the proposal for a rink at Northside will go forward, but the city should be prepared if the talks collapse.
In a joint letter, they have urged City Council and the School Board to ask the city manager and school superintendent to investigate possible sites.
"Certainly, if the city can be of any assistance in offering a site, we want to make that offer known," they said.
"We are quite aware of the importance of developing this practice rink for our valley's economic development efforts, as well as the Roanoke Express and the Youth Hockey League."
Harris said the city does not have specific sites in mind, but "we need to take a look to see what might be available." He said that city officials are not trying to persuade the investors to switch their plans to a city site. The city has not had contact with them, he said.
County school officials said the talks with the potential investors are taking longer than expected. The parties have disagreed on several issues.
The rink would be part of a complex that would include a new gymnasium for the high school and an auditorium and four more classrooms for Northside Middle School.
The county School Board voted Thursday night to proceed with plans for the gymnasium, auditorium and classrooms without waiting any longer on the rink negotiations.
The board selected Motley & Associates of Roanoke to design the $3.3 million gymnasium and other facilities.
County School Board Chairman Frank Thomas said the board's decision does not close the door to a rink. "It is not a dead issue, but we couldn't wait any longer if we are going to get the classrooms built by September 1996.''
Thomas said the idea is on hold as the board awaits another proposal from the investors, who have not been identified.
Under the proposed deal, the board would provide a site on school property. The investors would pay for the $2.5 million rink and operate it. They would give the school system some hours of free ice time and other benefits for use of the land.
Thomas said the rink could be built after the gymnasium and other facilities are complete.
by CNB