Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 11, 1990 TAG: 9004110453
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The complex, named for a former Salem mayor and retired judge, will be built on 25 acres off Colorado Street donated in 1988 to the city by Graham-White Manufacturing Co.
Council had hoped the complex would be in operation this year, but that plan has been delayed until spring 1991. Council gave City Manager Randy Smith the go-ahead on Monday to advertise for construction bids.
Designed by Salem architect F.A. "Doc" Shane, the complex features an exercise track, four interchangeable playing fields for football, soccer, baseball and softball and concession stands, locker rooms and a press box housed in a three-story brick pavilion. Seating capacity in concrete bleachers will be 2,500 to 3,000.
Because the property is in the flood plain, the pavilion and bleachers would be 6 feet above the playing fields. Parks are generally recognized as being good uses for land in the flood plain, Smith said.
Funding is expected to come from a variety of sources - in part, a $300,000 grant from the Virginia Division of Parks and Recreation; a $150,000 low-interest loan from the state; $256,000 from the sale of Oakey Field to Home Shopping Network; and $125,000 in meals-tax money.
In other business, council:
Accepted two bids totaling $39,300 for the purchase and installation of sod and a sprinkler system at the Salem High School athletic field. Council earlier approved an $18,700 bid for field grading, bringing the total project cost to $58,000.
Appropriated $1,000 to help support Salem High's 1990 post-prom event. The event, now in its third year, offers students a place to go after the prom, scheduled this year for April 28.
Council agreed with a suggestion from Councilman Sonny Tarpley that the contribution be made a regular budget item.
Gave final approval to an ordinance amending a section of the city code pertaining to political activity of city employees. The amendment allows an employee running for political office to use vacation or compensatory time if he or she needs to take time off. The old ordinance did not allow employees to use either.
by CNB