Norton's Stadium

November 16th, 2006, 08:46 PM

In the 11/16 Coalfield, it says that Norton is committed to trying to raise $850,000 by spring to repair the stadium. I thought this was a done deal. The story kinda leads one to think it still isn't final. I guess everybody's schools are in a bind. Is the story line correct?

**LPD_raider** · November 16th, 2006, 09:31 PM

The stadium is a done deal. I think they meant to put raising money for the new locker rooms/weight room/ and coach's offices they're putting in. Plus a player's lounge area.

**UTVols2** · November 16th, 2006, 09:41 PM

The new fieldhouse/locker room is greatly needed. Right now I think we have 49 players and 35 lockers, the weight room is small but not too bad and the coaches office is no bigger than a walk in closet. I am glad they are going to convert a lot of the old wood shop space and all that storage space into the new fieldhouse. Burton should be getting a big facelift over the spring/summer.

November 16th, 2006, 10:01 PM

From the Coalfield- "The City's problem is how to come up with stadium dollars. Mayor Robert Raines noted that such projects don't get state education funding." I thought the same as you guys. Maybe the 400,000 worth of bridge has changed things? Or I'm just reading the story line wrong.

**UTVols2** · November 16th, 2006, 10:08 PM

What makes me mad is they have the money, they have so much money set back for future projects.... What do they think this is.... I hope all of it goes through and they get to complete everything and don't just half a s s it.

November 16th, 2006, 10:09 PM

The city is passing things they can't afford. Most don't realize that Norton is in a big financial mess. Those who are passing this stuff, are still trying to find the money, to keep Norton, from having to in 5 yrs or so, maybe look at coming into the county school system.
They passed this then realized, hey we passed this based on Burton's season and the past couple of seasons, then they realized they had to fund it, and had no way to.
The City of Norton for some odd reason, and one they don't want out, is in a financial bind.

**NotSoSilentBob** · November 16th, 2006, 10:10 PM

There are many other things the city could be spending that money on. More worthwhile things. Some portions of the city infrastructure are in such bad shape that it should have been replaced 30 years ago.

**UTVols2** · November 16th, 2006, 10:17 PM

Wal-Mart alone pays for the school system each year..... I guess I am a little biased that I want the stadium to look nice... Where did you get the info that the city is in financial hardship... They need to start spending some of that money they have saved up.

November 16th, 2006, 10:23 PM

Remember the story line about the flooding and re-doing and seperating the storm drains? That is just one that comes to mind right off. The elementary school didn't get what they asked for last year either.

**RaiderWahoo0105** · November 16th, 2006, 10:26 PM

What're they saving these funds up for?

I'd be for a downtown revitalization to rival what's going on in Wise (or at least what they're attempting). Hopefully that movie complex they'll be putting in will make downtown Norton more commercially attractive rather than pulling everything to that Mecca that's the new Wal-Mart shopping center.