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2/6/2007
Appleton West - ludicrous conclusions
Many enjoy reading Post-Crescent sports writer Mike Woods. He’s usually insightful - and sometimes he’s even humorous. Marv Schuster, a FoxPolitics.net reader, thinks Woods’ recent attempt to justify the on-campus Appleton West sports complex is more humorous than insightful.
“Mike Woods listed the pros and cons of the Appleton West proposal in a Post-Crescent article January 28 of this year. Let’s take a look at them and you try to figure out how he came up with his conclusion.
“Here are Woods’ reasons, paraphrased, why not to move forward with a new on-campus sports complex:
- West is one of seven conference schools out of ten that don’t play varsity football on their own campus. Woods says an on-campus field ‘smacks of luxury rather than a necessity.’
- Some have said West is at a competitive disadvantage playing at an off-campus field. Woods says this is ‘utterly preposterous’ – they are the only Appleton public school to win a state football championship, appearing in three straight state championship games – more than any other Appleton school.
- West is only about a third of the way through a 20-year contract to play at the Lawrence University Banta Bowl – ‘one of the sweetest small stadiums’ anywhere.
- West baseball teams, playing off-campus, has won seven state championships, more than any other school in their division. Imagine that.
- 19 homeowners would have to be displaced to build a football/track facility. Woods says ‘on the surface, the idea is almost laughable.’
“Those are Mike Woods’ thoughts about why not to proceed with an Appleton West Sports Complex project. Now here are his reasons why such a project should move forward:
- The project, as currently configured, will add 61 parking spots. Parking is bad, traffic is heavy and someone could get seriously injured.
- A new stadium will feature all-season turf and an all-season track.
- Physical education teachers are going to be able to execute their curriculum… hoping to ignite a ‘lifelong commitment’ to healthy living…giving teachers a ‘fair opportunity’ of keeping kids from getting fat.
- When it rains now, phy-ed classes must be indoors because the fields get muddy.
- Lawrence University has sometimes invited other teams to use the Banta Bowl, putting too much pressure on their grass field.
“Now when I look at Mr. Wood’s five cons and five pros - the tearing down of 19 homes, taking a number of homes through eminent domain so we can add 61 parking spaces and have an all-season field so kids don’t get fat – a new sports complex does indeed seem ludicrous.
“I’m sorry the teachers have to scramble for parking spots. (160 staff members per Mr. Woods for about 1650 students – a ratio of one to ten.) Would it be possible to reserve 61 spots around the school for staff and let the kids walk a bit further to help keep them from getting fat? And is it possible to just install the all-season turf at the existing field, saving 19 family homes and millions of dollars and providing a venue to help the phy-ed teachers accomplish their agenda?”
Thanks to Marv Schuster, Appleton, for his thoughts. What are yours?
COMMENTS
Silly me---When I read Marv's comments on why we should build I thought his five pro comments were tounge in cheek joking. His reasons for not building were great.
Dale (Tue Feb 06 08:47:16 2007)
Tongue-in-cheek, humor, sarcasm...I profess none of that. I have no humor about this subject. This West HS issue has got to go away. There is nothing right about it. I agree that the facilities at this location need alot of help. I absolutely do not agree that this Terror Backer idea is the way to solve the issue. The upkeep/ maintenance of facilities is solely the province of the AASD. Let the School Board do their job. The approach, the process, the non-leadership coming from the Mayor's Office on this issue is untenable, unacceptable. I feel so embarrased by my City. I am so very sad for the residents whose properties are involved that they should be treated with such little respect. As I have said before, Appleton you can do this one better. Please try.
Lee (Tue Feb 06 09:29:31 2007)
I wonder if Mike Woods has read the "Concept Plan" for Appleton West. It's a quick read - only 3 pages. There is no author or date. There is no discussion of negative impacts or alternate choices. There are no cost figures included and no indication of who will pay for the $5 million project. The planning commission should return it to the sender for more information.
Ron Tank (Wed Feb 07 13:39:25 2007)
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