Another Weekend History

Another high school weekend is behind us.  Whatever the facts, memories, myths and legends are set.  That doesn't mean the filter of age won't change them, but for the moment there are some elements we will remember and retell in common.

Thank you to the Southwest Athletic Department and the Southwest Foundation for stadium lights for evening games Friday and Saturday.  I guess South is looking to rent lights for a football game in a couple weeks.  I think that's a great compliment to the changing views of the city at night.

Athletics, sports and clubs are very important events in a high school experience. Me know that students connected and involved in school activities attend school more regularly, achieve higher academic scores, graduate and enroll in colleges.  The statistics support the idea that these activities are economically important and build community strength.

Stadium lights - in fact stadiums - are the current rage.  The Twin Cities are slated to build three new.  One is now a couple years old.  A not so old hockey stadium and we all can see a new Target Center in the making.  So I guess it is natural that drift is way to high schools.  But at what cost?

The new Washburn Soccer/Football field is gorgeous.  The addition of lights at Roosevelt several years ago did not meet expectations.  Does the school system need seven fantastic facilities?  Is the greatest need at Southwest stadium lights.

Should the school system be looking to the future and think about one great stadium, one wonderful ice rink, a fantastic field house, tremendous ball fields and an awesome aquatics facility?  One can only spend money once.  Our children are our future and without a doubt we are not investing in them or our own future the way we should.  Are we having the right conversations?  Are we exploring options for the best future?  Or are we taking the easy way out and settling for second or third best?

We start week six of a great year.  We are now 1/8th finished with this one.