THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507140184
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
The city must maintain existing public buildings or it never will be able to expand its facilities for recreation.
A dreary picture of one of Portsmouth's major recreational facilities was painted by a Cavalier Manor resident at a recent City Council meeting. The Cavalier Manor Center, he said, has a leaking roof, making indoor play impossible when it rains. The swimming pool is inoperable because it also leaks.
The center, which includes a full-scale gymnasium, should be in use every day - especially on rainy days. Certainly in this hot weather, the swimming pool would be a welcome respite for the neighborhood.
In addition, the spokesman for the neighborhood civic league said, Cavalier Manor school is not available for summer programs because it has not had asbestos removed - a $3 million project, but still cheaper than building a new school.
It's really hard to believe that the city has allowed the Cavalier Manor recreation center to deteriorate to this point. It's even harder to believe that they have done nothing to stop leaks in the roof or in the swimming pool to avoid further deterioration.
Not too many years ago, the Cavalier Manor center was a showplace for the Parks and Recreation Department. That no longer seems to be the case.
As Mayor Gloria Webb noted, ``We have recreational centers in this city that hardly ever open their doors.''
Why? Where does the department spend money allocated for recreation? Who decides to ignore leaks in a roof and a swimming pool?
City Council must insist on proper maintenance or it will be faced with large capital outlays for new buildings in the not too distant future. by CNB