Which is bettter? 6-Lanes or 8-Lanes?
This is the point where I will start publishing statements that have been presented over the years before the city council and school board in support of the restoration of the running tracks At Francis Hammond and George Washington Middle Schools in Alexandria, Virginia.
When Is Six Better Than Eight?
STATEMENT TO THE ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 14, 2008
When Is Six Better Than Eight?
STATEMENT TO THE ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 14, 2008
Why Do the call it Track and Field instead of Field and Track? If it followed the long standing norm, the preeminent subject comes first. Logically that would make track a priority. Where as the running track facility allows for year round usage from a larger range of the population, a fields serves team sports in limited seasons, with a limited number of people. But field sports are well organized by definition, where as track activities are loosely affiliated or individual activities. While a strong case could be made simply on the merits, that a track is a better investment for a community, fields organization inevitably hold political sway. But a track does not de-Track (sic- detract, pun intended) from a field, on every level it could be argued that a track enhances any field design. Yet here we are a community of 136,174 without a single competitive running track. The rueful irony is that this is a running, jogging and walking community. It has been is this woeful state for many years too long.
We can rightfully rejoice that the running track and field is finally being restored a the new T.C. Williams High School after a prolonged absence. While this is notable, it does not fully address the need of our community. It does not address the lack of a facility to the east end or west end of the city. It will not be available to the community during school hours, or even after school in many cases because of organized activities. It does not have lights, so it can't be used after dark or in short days of winter. So we have a silver lining, but are still left with the cloud.
We must restore the track at our middle schools for numerous reasons, many I have previously articulated. But more than that, we should build a 8-lane facility somewhere with in our city's limits that would serve a greater public good. If not for health and fitness, then simple economics. I thereby request that a study be instituted to measure the economic impact of hosting a regional or state wide track meet would have on the city. Not to prejudge the result, but I anticipate the return on investment would be considerable. Opportunities are few in our city for such a complex, and the challenges are great. The proposed “All-City Sports” facility is not the answer, with its lack of a track and parking. A chance is being squandered at Potomac Yards, where the design precludes a track now or in the future. Looking at the landscape, it appears the land in conjunction with the George Washington Middle School Site, with its location and proxmity to Metro, might represent the best and perhaps last chance to construct a worthy facility. Hopefully, this opportunity wiil not be ignored. I have this vision that as a result of the action you take, at the 2016 Olympics potentially in Chicago, the announcer is saying “and hailing from Alexandria, Virginia” (insert you child or grandchild's name here)...
We can rightfully rejoice that the running track and field is finally being restored a the new T.C. Williams High School after a prolonged absence. While this is notable, it does not fully address the need of our community. It does not address the lack of a facility to the east end or west end of the city. It will not be available to the community during school hours, or even after school in many cases because of organized activities. It does not have lights, so it can't be used after dark or in short days of winter. So we have a silver lining, but are still left with the cloud.
We must restore the track at our middle schools for numerous reasons, many I have previously articulated. But more than that, we should build a 8-lane facility somewhere with in our city's limits that would serve a greater public good. If not for health and fitness, then simple economics. I thereby request that a study be instituted to measure the economic impact of hosting a regional or state wide track meet would have on the city. Not to prejudge the result, but I anticipate the return on investment would be considerable. Opportunities are few in our city for such a complex, and the challenges are great. The proposed “All-City Sports” facility is not the answer, with its lack of a track and parking. A chance is being squandered at Potomac Yards, where the design precludes a track now or in the future. Looking at the landscape, it appears the land in conjunction with the George Washington Middle School Site, with its location and proxmity to Metro, might represent the best and perhaps last chance to construct a worthy facility. Hopefully, this opportunity wiil not be ignored. I have this vision that as a result of the action you take, at the 2016 Olympics potentially in Chicago, the announcer is saying “and hailing from Alexandria, Virginia” (insert you child or grandchild's name here)...
For if we build it, they will run.
