Norfolk Daily News

Thursday – April 10, 2008

Our View

Improvements at Memorial Field, Ta-ha-zouka should spur discussion

Norfolkans now have something new to think about. And, boy, there’s a lot to think about.

A recent Daily News story detailed a proposed master plan for improvement of athletic fields at Memorial Field and Ta-ha-zouka Park.

The plan outlines $4.19 million in renovations at the city-owned Memorial Field plus possible construction of an aquatic center in place of the existing baseball field. The baseball field would be moved to join all the other ballfields at Ta-ha-zouka Park, which would see $2.29 million in improvements.

If, somehow, all those improvements could be made in the blink of an eye, Norfolk would be home to some of the most attractive recreational facilities around.

Given that Norfolk is located in Madison County and not Utopia, the only way some or all of the improvements will become reality is through adopting a plan, plenty of cooperation, some challenging decision-making, leadership on the part of many groups and a willingness on the part of Norfolk taxpayers to be a part of the solution.

Mayor Gordon Adams said he can’t overestimate how important this plan can be for the future of Norfolk. “I would emphasize how important I feel this is,’’ he said. “I have been very reluctant to suggest anything that would raise taxes. This one is worth it, I think.’’

As two members of the city’s recreation committee — Dave Fauss and Erik Wilson — indicated, there are a lot of factors that will come into play as part of the decision-making process. For example:

— Will Norfolk voters approve the establishment of keno when they go to the polls next month? Proceeds are slated to go toward recreation purposes.

— How much financial cooperation will Norfolk’s three high schools be able to muster given their interest in seeing Memorial Field improved?

— Will it take a bond issue — and the approval of voters — to make the plan a reality? Or will the plan be phased in over a longer length of time and perhaps not require a bond issue vote?

— Do Norfolkans and city and civic leaders like the plan as proposed or do changes need to be made? Are there parts that have widespread support and others that don’t?

— Will a scaled-back aquatic park finally become reality?

Those questions and others will need to be answered in order to help make final decisions on how to proceed. Now’s the time for more discussion and providing input to city council members and others who have worked diligently to prepare the master plan.