Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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| Peggy Smith and Larry Walker (center), parents of former Titan baseball star Erik Walker, stand with family and friends during a special pregame ceremony held on the ball field at West Forsyth. The event included the dedication of a new scoreboard and outfield baseball sign in Erik's memory. |
Rodney Latham and board members of the Parent-Teacher Association of Clemmons Elementary School, as well as the school principal, Dr. Ron Montaquila, proposed the town build a community center/gym on James Street at an estimated cost of $230,000..
The property is wooded and is located between the school parking lot and Clemmons Fire Station.
The proposal would include the school leasing the 3.5 acres of land to the village for 30 years at $1 annually. Adjacent to the new gym and community center metal building would be space for a park. The school would use the property during the day time hours and the public would have access for nights and weekends.
In the presentation to the council, Latham said a new 60 by 100 ft. gym would allow for 50 percent more space for students. Currently, one large room, in the center of the school, serves as cafeteria, gym and auditorium. Due to overcrowding, lunch hours begin at 10:45 a.m. and conclude at 1:30 p.m. A new gym would reduce the lunch time by one hour and 10 minutes.
As a community center, the building could accommodate community meetings, adult recreation, social functions, classes and training sessions for groups.
The park would be a common area for Clemmons’ residents, and would include walking trails, picnic areas and an amphitheater, Latham said. Residents could use the existing lighted 350 parking spaces in two lots.
Clemmons Broncos Football League has developed and utilizes the adjacent fields. Doug Gardner, spokesman for the Broncos, spoke in support of the proposal, saying... Subscribe to the Courier, P.O. Box 765, Clemmons, NC 27012.