THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, December 20, 1994 TAG: 9412200355
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Which would you rather have? A 3,000-seat stadium at Wilson High School or City Council meetings televised live? For the new stadium, would you also be willing to give up a new $325,000 fire truck for one year and $200,000 for the new Children's Museum of Virginia?
Those were the choices the council faced as it worked on its new building budget Monday. It appeared the stadium won out for now.
Wilson High School supporters told the council last week that they want a regional, 5,000-seat stadium for their games. They even brought drawings of what they had in mind.
On Monday, the council scaled back the project but agreed to include the stadium in its building budget for the coming year.
Richard A. Hartman, the city's director of public works and engineering, estimated the stadium will cost close to $1 million. The city, which is strapped for cash, would pay for it by deferring funding for other city projects, such as the Children's Museum; the Cavalier Manor Recreation Center; sidewalk and curb construction; and park and playground improvements.
The Wilson stadium would be built around the existing practice field off Elmhurst Lane. Since 1971, Wilson has played all its ``home'' football games at other sites - Churchland, Cradock and Frank D. Lawrence Stadium. The Lawrence stadium is scheduled for demolition and will eventually be replaced with a 5,000-seat stadium for the new Norcom High School.
Several council members said Monday they prefer to build a larger stadium for the new Norcom High. The city doesn't need and can't afford two large stadiums, they said.
But other council members were adamant that each of the city's high schools should have its own sports facilities.
Wilson supporters contend the stadium will cost less than the city has projected.
Although the council has included the proposal in its budget, the School Board has yet to consider it.
Councilman Johnny M. Clemons said the schools need maintenance much more than they need a new stadium.
On Monday, the council also:
Included $131,000 for its proposal to improve soccer and baseball fields for the John Tyler Little League.
Added a proposal to demolish the Leckie Street Bridge. The span, now closed to vehicular traffic, connects the Shea Terrace and West Parkview neighborhoods.
The council will vote on the final budget Jan. 10.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL BUDGET by CNB