The need for a new gynasium at the elementary school was questioned last week during a meeting for the Cooperstown Central Schools Steering committee in charge of reviewing the proposed $18 million capital project and recommending the project's scope.

According to the most recent version of the project, designed by Bearch Compeau and Knudson (BCK), included is a list of "critical issues" such as: a roof, window and exterior door replacements and other building maintenance; public address, fire alarm and master clock system upgrades; handicap accessibility modifications in each school; science classroom renovations; kitchen and cafeteria upgrades; the replacement of the elementary school playground "kid city"; the relocation of the high school main office; the reconfiguration of student and staff parking and bus lop at each school; bus garage changes as a well as additional gym space at the elementary school and the addition of a permanent press box at Lambert field.

The committee touched on several issues, particularly the addition of an official size gym at the elementary school.

School board president Keith Additon stated that the gym was included because of other necessities.

Superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said the addition would allow for the reconfiguration of the small main office, health office and library.

Middle School Principal and Director of P.E., Health and Athletics, Mike Cring, passed around a list of issues he felt the district has with their current gym facilities. Included was: scheduling conflicts between after-school events and athletics; inadequate practice times and facilities; and locker room issues.

Although he said they have done the best they could with their current gym facilities, he feels it is a "disservice to the student body" to continue with them when an opportunity to change is possible.

However service unit representative Barbara Pope didn't see it that way.

"We're trying to justify this whole thing. The end result will be a gym," she said.

Since adequate space is an issue at the elementary school, Pope asked whether a classroom could be used as the health office.

McPhail responded that the health office would need to be at a logical location.

Additon also stated that although enrollment has been declining, he didn't feel the district should begin taking classrooms away.

"I think we want a new gym. I don't think we need a new gym," said Pope. "I don't know how, I, as a tax payer can afford it."

The committee also discussed replacing, "kid city," the wooden playground behind the elementary school, parking facilities and the reconfiguration of the bus garage.

A majority of members of the committee favored BCK's option of the bus garage repairs, which include constructing a new service building on the other side of the school entrance.

The next meeting for the committee will be on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at a location to be announced.