ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 1996 TAG: 9602230021
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
Vinton residents will be asked to serve on a town council committee that will make recommendations on renovations at the Vinton War Memorial.
The planning committee, now made of councilmen and town officials, told council Tuesday that plans are progressing and asked that residents be named to the committee so the memorial's 50th anniversary celebration in 1998 can be a "people event."
Council agreed, and Mayor Charles Hill asked his colleagues to watch out for individuals interested in helping.
The committee was appointed to identify renovations that should be done to the war memorial complex to get it in good shape for its second half-century. The building, a memorial to veterans, serves as a mini-civic center for Vinton by providing facilities for dinners and luncheons, weddings, receptions and meetings. The grounds have facilities for recreational sports.
The committee also gave council a preliminary landscaping plan for the grounds.
Councilman Joseph Bush, a member of the committee, said many of the plants on the grounds now are old and unsuitable. The new landscaping plan calls for plants that will be easy to maintain and will be low-growing so they won't detract from the appearance of the building.
The landscaping plan was prepared by Linda Z. Oberlender of Roanoke, a landscape architect.
The report from Bush, Councilman Buford Barton, Town Manager Clay Goodman and Finance Director Joan Furbish said 50 years of use has caused the building to show wear and tear. Many areas, including the electrical system, heating and air conditioning, lighting, kitchen and restrooms need renovations, according to the report.
Renovations were done about 10 years ago, the report said, but the memorial has been heavily used since then.
Bush said the building and grounds must be kept attractive so the war memorial will continue to be used by fee-paying groups to cover operational expenses.
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