The sign shows hours for “non event public access.”
Memorial Stadium at West Albany High School is normally open to the public during non-school hours when no events are taking place, but an Albany resident says the place has been locked at times when it should have been open.
At present, the stadium is closed while the field’s artificial turf is being replaced. According to the school district, that $488,355 project should be complete by Sept. 2.
In an email last week, Albany resident Will Bender told me that since last year he and his family have regularly used the Memorial Stadium track for exercise during the hours posted for public use.
“The problem is that, despite those posted hours, the gates are routinely being locked and the public is being prevented from using the facility,” he wrote, adding:
“We’ve had several experiences with this. On one occasion, I was actually locked inside the stadium after entering during the posted public-use hours. Another time, I brought my kids there and found ourselves completely locked out, eventually having to call the police to get assistance getting through the gates. I’ve tried reaching out to the school and the athletic director to understand what the policy actually is, but I haven’t been able to get a clear answer.”
I contacted the school district about his concern. Here is what I heard from David Bolin, the district’s executive director of operations:
This is Charlie’s Gate at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 13. (In the background, the field has been cleared of the old turf.)
The sign clearly shows the hours for “non event public access.”
For God’s sake. Is this what constitutes a crisis in Albany these days. This is Hasso Hering attempting to set off a controversy where NONE exists.
And yet you feel compelled to respond. Says a lot about you.
Apparently Mandi C, Al Nyman,Roger, Suebee and Bill Kapaun view the crisis surrounding access to a public high school’s athletic facilities is a controversial and important topic. All I indicated is that in a day and age of immense REAL challenges and problems, is that maybe Mr. Hering’s breathless concern over this trivial matter is overblown, designed primarily as click bait. This person fails to see why all of the Hering Defenders seem to be equally adamant and upset over this minuscule saga.
If you knew what you were talking about, you wouldn’t need to resort to such exaggeration. ” breathless concern”? Hardly.
You are simply delusional in your assessment of seemingly, most everything. You strike me as a person that pulls the legs off of flies and enjoys watching them try to land.
At least “you” think you’re “cute”.
The controversy I see is Hartman… some of us like to be informed of possible inconveniences…
Thanks Hasso for the heads up!
Take deep breath Hartman.
No. The crisis is when you respond about a problem that people are interested in a solution. Why do you read Hasso when you appear to dislike him so much?
Well since our city and county taxes are what pay for these facilities they should be open when they say they will be. All Hasso was doing was reporting on what a frequent user of facilities said. It sounds like you have a personal agenda in regards to Hasso- so why not stop hiding behind a username and have a conversation with him. He seems open to me he reports on many topics. Maybe take your man(or woman)toddler nap get a fresh diaper and a bottle and stop your man tantrum. Jeez
I for one have taken advantage of the track at Calapooia Middle School in after hours and in the summer. The gate on 27th was always unlocked/open so if my daily walk took me by there after school or on the weekend or summer I would just hop in there and do a lap then back out to continue my walk. I didn’t see any signs at any of the gates about public hours but common sense says you do it when school or activities are not in session. Then one day I saw they had started locking all of the gates. But interestingly I noted that there were a few people in there doing their thing including walking their dogs. I couldn’t help but conclude that these were school personnel with special privileges (and keys).
I would go back to short runs on the sidewalks but I have had 4 bad trips/falls doing that. So I just quit running.
An update: I took my evening walk (around 8 pm) along 27th and noted that that gate was indeed open. There was a newish sign posted indicating when the public could enter. There was no one around. Guess they changed their policy.
Charlie’s gate was named after Charlie Butler, who was a teacher at WAHS. Charlie always volunteered to work the home football games at this location. After Charlie passed, this location became known informally as Charlie’s Gate.
Somewhere along the way, it became official.
Sound’s like this is the question we need answered.
“ If people are locked out during those hours, or locked in, it has to be the result of a mistake by whoever is in charge of Charlie’s Gate.”
Who is in charge of Charlie’s Gate?
Those who berate and continually criticize what you write though still find the need to read what you write is one of the best compliments you can receive in writing, Hasso.
Hasso, can you please tell me who Charlie’s Gate is named after? Thank you very much.
See Bob Stalick’s explanation in the comments.
Thank you very much Mr. Stalick. Very much appreciated.