05/27/82 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 • . • • • ols Page 8A Thurs., May 20, 1982 THE BULLETIN -: Worrisome Edgewood closing ng to affect I a more than just students of the school E_ By SHANNON QUINN —a fullsize double gymnasium and a Mounds View and Leonard said it's "Athletic associations, local and Bulletin Correspondent cafeteria that doubles as am. "perfect perfect for giving lessons because of its community groups will be hurt the most,' —four new lighted tennis courts. two diving boards and a separate diving Anderson said. "The kids are nervous, the parents are —a running track and a track and field area." "The intangible implications of the !« apprehensive and the whole city's con- area. The double gymnasium and converted closing are very real. The closing could cerned," said Phil Leonard, principal of —a new football field with an automatic cafeteria are used for everything from cause loss of community identity, Edgewood Junior High. underground sprinkling system. aerobic dance and hockey to ping pong decreased volunteer involvement and "The closing of Edgewood will not just —four baseball fields. and square dancing. A M affect the city of Mounds View but all saidntial community apathy," Anderson Many of the outdoor facilities are new. said. other schools and through them, all the "There just isn't any location with The football field with an automatic There are alternatives. According to a communities in District 621,"said Bruce comparable facilities. Edgewood has 40 underground sprinkling system, report compiled for the Community Anderson, Mounds View Parks and acres while Highview Junior High has protective fence and large parking area Education Advisory Council, the school Recreation director. only 14 acres.Last summer the city spent has never held a football game. board could maintain Edgewood's indoor Next fall, Edgewood Junior High will over ;150,000 to improve our outside Loss of the outdoor facilities is unlikely, facilities with a skeleton crew.Edgewood lock its doors and many adults will be out facilities, we have the best," insisted Leonard said.He said that as long as the could then become a community' of a place to learn. Leonard, Edgewood's principal. school district owns the land, the corn- education center. i --.`--- -!, munity will be able to use the fields, John Ostlund of the Community EDGEWOOD JUNIOR HIGH is a "OVER 85 PERCENT of Mounds View tracks and courts. Resource Center said he will encourage - special place. Every weekday after the recreational programs take place in Anderson said, "I can't conceive of not the school board to adopt such an action. kids go home the city takes over. Edgewood," Parks and Recreation being able to use the outside facilities He is "optimistic" that it will comply. -_; �' Young and old meet to take advantage Director Anderson emphasized. even if they turn the whole thing into Parks and Recreation Director •" of what some consider Edgewood's most The facilities are used by community condominiums. Anderson said he is "upbeat" about the valuable asset — its recreational education classes, church groups, neigh- "The loss of the indoor facilities will closing."It's a challenge that is facing >- facilities. g g acing all borhood groups and community groups have a tremendous impact on everyone.It of us," Anderson said. "The pie is Edgewood Junior High's such as the boy scouts and 4-H. means more traveling and perhaps becoming smaller and we have to cut the 1 "irreplaceable" facilities include: The pool is used for swimming or diving doubling up some programs. Everyone pieces carefully." ,- —a five lane pool with two separate lessons,open swims and even swimming will have to plan better," he said. Anderson said shuffling the programs diving boards and an underwater viewing parties.It is used over 20 hours a week all to other communities "might bring the port to observe technique. year round.It is the only pool in the city of SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY 1330 set communities closer through up a priority system for school facilities. cooperation." i 1 H S student Day school has first priority, community The fate of Edgewood is now in the Councileducation is second, community groups hands of the school board. In the mean- third,neighborhood groups are fourth and time,Anderson said,"we're going to have comes to custod i I outside groups will be last. to do some traveling." Ian s aid _ _ ._ - - -