THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410260678
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Frank D. Lawrence Stadium, the football home for Norcom and Wilson High Schools since 1940, may be torn down at the end of the season.
City manager V. Wayne Orton said the existing facility would be demolished after the season and be replaced by a stadium similar to the one at Churchland High School.
However, city councilman Bernard Griffin said he was unaware of any approval of such action. ``I have requested a meeting with the city manager to discuss this,'' Griffin said Monday.
Orton said it was decided at a council retreat.
The baseball portion of Lawrence Stadium was demolished in 1992. At that time, the football field was relocated, and a new $7,500 irrigation system was installed.
About $129,000 was expended to tear down and dispose of the baseball section.
An outside cement barrier was removed from the 54-year-old stadium, replaced by an 8-foot high chain link fence.
At the time only Norcom was playing home football games in the stadium, but this year Wilson, which had been using Churchland Stadium for home games, has returned there. by CNB