Reconsider idea

Dear Mr. Editor:
We were disappointed to hear the Town of Fort Frances has declined to purchase the old Fort Frances High School from the board of education for $1. We hope our idea for the use of the property will not fall on deaf ears and that the town reconsiders.
We would like to see the town purchase the property. Although it will cost a great deal to demolish, it could be done in stages.
The town could have an open sale of all furnishings, windows, doors, lockers, hardwood flooring, etc. that people could purchase, including the large fencing around the tennis court.
Once the building was stripped of anything salvageable, with the exception of the bricks, the town then would proceed to demolish the building in stages (since it was built in stages)—let’s say a section each year for a three-year plan.
The bricks then could be used to build a beautiful “pavilion” like they have at Smokey Bear Park in International Falls, thereby keeping a bit of the history of the old Fort High. The property could be landscaped and used as a central park for future events, also using the leftover bricks for walkways.
The town would be able to generate revenue from the rental of the pavilion for special events throughout the year. Examples: folk festival, Fun in the Sun events, concerts, Little Theatre, children’s events, and a place for town people to gather for guest speakers, etc.
It could have some benches there and picnic tables brought out when an event was featured, thereby preventing loitering.
We also feel we have enough playgrounds in Fort Frances and therefore the area should not have any play equipment.
This property is in the heart of Fort Frances, not to mention on a very popular street that many tourists use to pass through, and it would be nice to have some beautiful green space for everyone to enjoy.
We hope our idea is not too late for the town to reconsider.
Thank you for allowing us the space in your paper to print our idea.
Signed,
Betty Sue Kenny,
Amy Marchuk, and
Lisa Calder