D2D started as a simple enough premise.
Shorewood may have a small high school.
And SHS may have to import students from the City of Milwaukee to afford to keep it open.
And SHS has had to join forces with a private school to be able to compete at any level in football.
And SHS has had to join forces with other schools in various other athletics to compete.
But gosh darn it, the Affluent Folks in Shorewood think SHS athletic facilities should be “state of the art” with artificial turf and ……… why not a Dome !
It just isn’t right for their kids to be driving to SHS in their cars that cost more than some of the homes that their partner kids live in across the river …. and then have to go to some old dirty athletic field !
And who would object ?
After all, it will all be done with Private Dollars !
Kind of like the Senior Citizens’ facilities at the Village Center.
Which were funded with a large bequest …
NO, wait --- scratch that --- yep, there are private dollars, but the Village Board took control of that money, and is sitting on the funds. The Village Board keeps putting off the Old Folks --- bad example !
But back to the SHS project ... let’s see, where was I … oh yes, PRIVATE MONEY.
Who could object to PRIVATE MONEY for a FANTASY FIELD ?
But THEN IT ALL CHANGED !
How about a CHALLENGE GRANT ?
Affluent folks will put up money --- ONLY IF THE LESS AFFLUENT HAVE TO PAY TOO !
Now it is hard to nail down just who is and isn’t affluent in Shorewood --- but if we conservatively figure ½ and ½ --- maybe about 6500 or so that are just barely making it here in Shorewood --- that would be about $71 per person.
Not too much money really, except if you are a family with 3 kids, that works out to $355 – or maybe the take home pay for a week for a two earner, getting by, family.
Hmmmmmm ……… $355 could buy some nice track shoes for those kids --- but luckily there is a new Goodwill Store, just west on Capitol ...... maybe they can get some there !
BTW – Since there already is a Dome on the high school --- if we get another Dome for the athletic field, would they be Dome 1 and Dome 2 ? Would people giving directions say “hey, go east on Capitol past the Domes ………”
COMMENTS (A)
Sean.Cummings@brunswickbilliards.com wrote:
In the end analysis this will be a very cost effective investment for all Village residents, rich or poor The schools would likely have had to find additional funds to make basic upgrades to the existing facilities, spending about the same $465K the Village agreed to give. This band aid solution would also have a negative impact on classroom $'s given the impact on State formulas. This D2D structure will allow us to get a $2.8 million, long-term solution, for the same amount of money while providing Shorewood with new recreational capabilities and one more recruiting tool for new residents. Why is it a bad thing when rich people and everyday residents want to give our community their money for the betterment of all. I don't see the down side. A few times in life, things that seem too good to be true are.
Just to clarify. No public money is being used for the dome, if it is built at all. If the dome is installed it will be paid for with private, donor funds, likely coming from a few rich alumni on the coasts. It it gets built, it would double the wintertime indoor recreational space in Shorewood. Residents of all ages would have a place to walk, play with grandchildren, organize sports or conduct band practice. Our gym spaces are so crowded now that 10 and 12 year old children have basketball practice at 9:00 p.m. Doubling the size of our winter recreational space for residents for free can't be a bad thing, can it? It will only get built if it is proven to generate income after operating expenses, through rental, and after adequate free time for the community is scheduled. This would put new, incremental dollars into the classroom, something we all care desperately about. Minneapolis is a very progressive city and they have more than 30 of these domes operating at a profit in their community. Once again, let me confirm that no public money will be used for this project and that it will only go up if the school administration is shown that it will generate a profit for the schools.
We too moved here for the world-class academic and arts programs and have found over the years that some choose not to move here because they can get great academics, arts AND athletic programs in other communities. We know of families who are considering leaving the schools because they want to participate in a more robust athletic program. We know of families who looked at Shorewood and elected not to purchase a house here because of our sub-standard facilities. Certai
