I am mystified that the OPRF High School discussion seems not to include eliminating football. Surely a community that fancies itself to be at the leading edge of social issues should be appalled that we continue to facilitate and celebrate the destruction of our youths’ minds and bodies. Apparently we can ban smoking but not gladiatorial carnage.
And herein lies the solution to several footprint issues: Tear down the stadium. Site a new, modest swimming pool on part of the stadium footprint. Put tennis courts on the roof. Devote the southwest corner of the site to whatever new facilities the police department needs.
A collateral benefit is that the police, who seem to spend a great deal of time at OPRF, can simply walk there. Walking the neighborhood is a best law enforcement practice anyway.
Bob Stigger
Oak Park
