I've been watching the debate over Evans Field.

One of the first things that struck me was the similar reaction to the campaign to Save the VA. Both have a strong emotional component that's driving some of the public reaction.

A Facebook page has been set up at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Evans-Fie ... 2522633070
Posting your opinion there, or here, for that matter, won't do much of anything. Mostly, you'll be preaching to the choir. Here, as with the VA Campaign, the web is most useful as a vehicle to get information to people. However, you need to give thought as to what you want to tell people, and what you want people to do once you've told them.

Most of the folks in the crowd want Someone To Do Something. That's OK, but doing something isn't the solution. Paying for it is the solution.

How will this be paid for?

If you can answer that, you're probably 90% of the way there. And no mistake, whatever option or options get picked, it's going to cost somebody a lot of money. Money now and in the future.

Saving Evans Field, or in the bigger picture, ensuring that our students have quality facilities comparable to other schools is undoubtedly a worthy cause. In reality, though, it's one worthy cause among many in our area, and not everyone will see it the same way.

Centerfield has correctly pointed out often on our forum that if we decline state funding as a matter of principle, that money isn't returned to us, or saved for a rainy day. It will, without exception, be spent on something else. To paraphrase Victor Rich's homeowner analogy as well, providing regular maintenance is cheaper and more affordable in the long run than if you wait till the foundation's collapsing and the roof's caving in.

Having had only a cursory glance at the actual project specifics, it at least appears that major work is called for here at both CA and Evans Field.

From a project management standpoint, before things can move forward much, decisions have to be made:

• What is it we're going to do? (Keep Evans Field where it is, upgrade it, move all facilities to the high school, upgrade both, do something to one but not the other, do nothing, etc) Lots of discussion and many options. There are those who probably want CSD to have the best in the state, etc, which is OK, but I think not realistic. Best today is not best tomorrow, unless you have an endless source of money, which we do not. I feel we should have comparable facilities to other schools of our size, but that's only my opinion.

• How will the project be paid for? (Taxes, tax increase, state funding, corporate donations/sponsorships, private donations, fundraisers, etc) Again, many options

• What's the project timetable? (Some of this will be determined by other factors: If we need a million dollars, how much do we have to have in hand before we start? What's the most pressing issue that will have to be fixed (and paid for) first? How long will it take to do all this stuff?)

There are folks in our community who, from personal finances or otherwise, will oppose any tax increase to pay for this project. We know this.

I have also learned that some at least of those who are clamoring the loudest for Something To Be Done will find it convenient to inspect their sleeve for a spot of lint if the cap is passed round for private donations.

I personally am not opposed to corporate funding with naming opportunities. If it's helping our kids, so what if it has a business name on it? I had this discussion with a vice-president at CNB some years ago, and was told that the bank gets many hundreds of requests for funding each year, and cannot possibly accommodate them all. Wegmans is also put on the spot regularly, and here I would reference the fact that Wegmans gives thousands of dollars locally for scholarship funds to students who live right here, many who attend CA. (Our daughter benefitted from their generosity) We don't have many corporations in Canandaigua or in Ontario County for that matter. The Tourism Industry is ballyhooed as our Economic Savior, but they have their own hands out regularly. Students and/or school sports are not tourism, so I'd guess we wouldn't see much money from that source.

I recall *&#$ years ago when I was in high school that the yearbooks had sponsorship ads in the back (Compliments of Fred's IGA, that sort of thing, which I assume still goes on), so business partnerships with schools have a long-standing precedence.

Do people here want this paid for by a tax increase? Worth a shot, but I'd guess it's slim or none as far as chances.

Small donations add up. This project will need lots of moohlah, but fundraisers, counter cans, etc, can contribute something, but this needs to be well-organized and someone has to take responsibility. Will Downtown see this as competition for their flower drive? Who knows? Times are still tough for everyone.

Last we come to state funding. Yes, it's our money. But given the complete, total crisis that NYS is in financially, what can we realistically expect to happen?

Let me know your thoughts.

There is probably some rule against it,but if the work was all done by donations,fund raisers and the like,and the school didn't have to write a check, prevailing wages wouldn't have to be payed for the labor.This would reduce the cost by a third.Not sure how the law reads on a situation like this.As soon as there is state money involved,the work has to be done to the states requirements.Which in most cases,is overkill.

I am for keeping football at Evans Field and doing the work there that is needed to upgrade the facilities. I took a drive by there yesterday and visited the upper parking area at the old school. I didn't see a run down facility. I saw a classic sports venue that was unique in Section V and makes you proud to live in Canandaigua.

I would love to see the community take on a part of the work, even if it were a small part. I think doing so promotes community pride and buy in.

For example, if Habitat for Humanity can build an entire house with volunteers we certainly should be able to muster enough talent to build something as simple as quality concession stand. I know lot of people who have remodeled their entire homes, myself included. The skills are out there in the community - general carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc. Community volunteers could build a really nice facility with the talent we have. We could even hit up the local building supply companies to donate some of the materials and in exchange recognize them as sponsors. This might also be a great project for our building trades students at BOCES. What better opportunity to put their education to work in a real life situation and become recognized in a community where they will be seeking employment when they graduate

CanManDan wrote:This might also be a great project for our building trades students at BOCES. What better opportunity to put their education to work in a real life situation and become recognized in a community where they will be seeking employment when they graduate

Agree completely.

CanManDan wrote:I am for keeping football at Evans Field and doing the work there that is needed to upgrade the facilities. I took a drive by there yesterday and visited the upper parking area at the old school. I didn't see a run down facility. I saw a classic sports venue that was unique in Section V and makes you proud to live in Canandaigua.

I would love to see the community take on a part of the work, even if it were a small part. I think doing so promotes community pride and buy in.

For example, if Habitat for Humanity can build an entire house with volunteers we certainly should be able to muster enough talent to build something as simple as quality concession stand. I know lot of people who have remodeled their entire homes, myself included. The skills are out there in the community - general carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc. Community volunteers could build a really nice facility with the talent we have. We could even hit up the local building supply companies to donate some of the materials and in exchange recognize them as sponsors. This might also be a great project for our building trades students at BOCES. What better opportunity to put their education to work in a real life situation and become recognized in a community where they will be seeking employment when they graduate

BINGO!!!!!

townie wrote:

CanManDan wrote:I am for keeping football at Evans Field and doing the work there that is needed to upgrade the facilities. I took a drive by there yesterday and visited the upper parking area at the old school. I didn't see a run down facility. I saw a classic sports venue that was unique in Section V and makes you proud to live in Canandaigua.

I would love to see the community take on a part of the work, even if it were a small part. I think doing so promotes community pride and buy in.

For example, if Habitat for Humanity can build an entire house with volunteers we certainly should be able to muster enough talent to build something as simple as quality concession stand. I know lot of people who have remodeled their entire homes, myself included. The skills are out there in the community - general carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc. Community volunteers could build a really nice facility with the talent we have. We could even hit up the local building supply companies to donate some of the materials and in exchange recognize them as sponsors. This might also be a great project for our building trades students at BOCES. What better opportunity to put their education to work in a real life situation and become recognized in a community where they will be seeking employment when they graduate

BINGO!!!!! The only problem I can see with our thinking,is the labor unions having a fit.