Column: Keeping the old high school simply for the memories isn’t practical

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 13, 2005

The Albert Lea Medical Center decided &045; or at least announced &045; late last week it would stick to its original plans for the former high school site, which is to demolish all the buildings to create staff parking and further expand services to its health customers.

These plans are the polar opposite of what a group of citizens interested in preserving the high school &045; specifically the Cap Emmons auditorium &045; envisioned and ensconced them in the proverbial David vs. Goliath fight.

In examining my own opinions and feelings on this issue, I couldn’t help initially wanting to root for the apparent underdog here &045; the citizens. But I struggled with what was best for the community as a whole.

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The school brings back fond, vivid memories of easier times for several generations

who walked those halls &045; but most notably for those approaching or enjoying their sunset years.

As the years pass, this group has a better appreciation of their own history as well as the community’s. Without this perspective, much of where we come from would be obliterated by progress. (Incidentally, my sunset years loom on the horizon and I also have a growing appreciation for all things historical.)

I sympathize with the group who wants to save the high school &045; my own alma marter is not long for this world, I’m sure.

For several years, educators in my hometown have lobbied for a new high school, citing many of the same concerns you probably heard when Albert Lea was looking to build a new school.

Twice, voters in my hometown have said no to a new facility, using many of the same arguments opponents may have expressed here.

If I am honest with myself, the only argument I might have against building a new high school is purely sentimental. I spent some very fun days walking those halls; our second-floor foyer was &uot;the spot&uot; to congregate. Everyone passed through that foyer, usually several times a day as they made their way to class; upperclassmen guarded it; underclassmen were initiated there and entered at their own risk; cheerleaders gathered there after school to make posters to ignite spirit in sports fans; problems &045; both personal and academic &045; were solved on the benches in the second floor foyer.

Following graduation more than two decades ago, I’ve enjoyed the occasional stroll through the halls my kids also walked. As I grew older, I have been comforted visiting my high school memories each time I drive by the building.

Almost every room in my old school has the power to evoke memories for me, reminding me of a time when I was innocent, life was carefree, relatively stress-free and simple.

And of course, there’s nothing like the feeling of having your children walk the same halls you did, sitting in the same classrooms, filing away their own school-day memories

But that old school of mine isn’t practical anymore. I can find no logical reason it should be saved and if I still had a say, I would vote to build a new school.

I am always saddened when old buildings go down. I think of the sights and sounds and people the walls have seen. Changes in a community’s landscape can be difficult to accept. But such changes aren’t necessarily bad, they are just different.

Who hasn’t been among friends and started discussing each of the businesses one building has housed over the years? Or talked about how one busy corner has changed from a high rise to a gas station to a park? Such a discussion can really take a person back in time, which can be a fun place to go.

Saying they envision an active community space, what I sense here, based on published comments, is they really just want the visual reminder of their own &045; and other graduates’ &045; school days. Saving a building has its merits, but the high school isn’t on the historic register.

That’s not to say their vision for a vibrant community space doesn’t have merit. But when I weigh 130 jobs &045; living-wage jobs &045; and an estimated $15 million pumped back into the community because of the medical center’s expansion plans, practicality steps in.

Let’s hope the medical center isn’t held in contempt because they made a sound, logical business decision in the best interests of their customers and, yes, the community.