The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-12-11
ALL BOOST
FOR ATHLETIC
PARK PLANS


evening at the meeting of the new
Hammond Athletic Boosters assoeia-
tion when the proposition OF erecting
real athletic park was discussed
Many who had attended previous
meetings could not be present at the
courthouse last night because of 9TH
er engagements but the new faces
present made the crowd even larger
than at the meeting the week before.
The idea has proved to be a popular
one and is meeting with the hearty
support of men and women in all walks
OF life.
Ray Seeley as temporary chairman
started things moving when he called
for the report of the ways and means
committee, OF which Frank o,Rourie
was chairman. Although tn. commit
tee had only been working a week
on the matter. o'Rourke was able, 70
report investigations on six sites and
an estimate of the lowest probable
cost
The sites investigated were as FOL
lows:
I. Property on Highland street,
just west OF the Industrial high
school building. It Is believed four
acres could be purchased at $4,000 per
| acre.
2. Property at Columbia avenue
and 15oth street. This was estimated
a, 1880 per acre.
3. Property on Calumet avenue.
| across street. west OF Nowak Milling
Co. Gold distillery). This is expected
to cost $4,000 per acre.
T. Block between Cameron and
Henry streets. north OF Huehn and
belonging to the school city. Two
thousand dollars per acre is the price
suggested.
| Property at corner OF Calumet and
Michigan avenues. This would prob
ably be most expensive. $1,000 per
acre.
s. Tract of about FIVE acres between
Jessie and sohl streets. north of Mich
isan avenue II is believed that this
land could be purchased at a figure
lower than any OF the others
| Mr.. O'Rourke then read figures on
costs of grading. guiding a fence and
erecting a grandstand with a capacity
| CT 5000. These figures were secured
BY John Huchel and were from con-
| tractors who do such work The total
! price of ehis work would be 10000
exclusive OF the cost OF the land. The
| figures were for frame construction
and were considered the lowest pos
s.ble.
Expressions were called for from
those present and the matter was dis
| cussed thoroughly.
A. NJ Turner was the first to speak
II have heard a great deal about this
plan TO erect an athletic park as a
] soldiers and sailore'v memorial with
| in the last week. think that is a
practical and appropriate manner In
which TO show our appreciation OF the
| services the boys rendered in the war
and at the same time provide a real
asset for the city. An athletic field
is no longer TO be considered a luxury
IL is a necessary thing. The plan has
my hearty endorsement"
| Mr.. Turner urged the vigorous push
ing of the project. but said that he be-
/ leved the estimate was too low. IF
| we go through with this we should
| build so that II will be permanent. I
think a freproof structure should be
erected so that the whole thing can
not be wiped out over night as often
happens TO structures OF this sort.
/ which. because OF their location can
not be guarded all Of the time. !
don't think we should stop at less
than 100000 or more II necessary TO
dc it right"
DR.. W. D. weis said he believed
this was the proper step. we did q
lot Of shouting when the boys went
away" he said. but most OF the en-
thusiasm seemed to have died down
BY the time they got back I like
this plan OF a permanent memorial as
a mark OF our appreciation AMI which
at the same time will be looking to-
ward the physical welfare of our
lyoung men. II IL takes 100000 OF
more TO put this over. am in favor
OF II for we should have q memorial
We can point 20 with pride"
Alderman l. c. Smith. president Of
the city council, spoke and told the
status Of the memorial proposition a
he understood it. Further explanation
o: the situation was made by Alder
man Reilley and Martin. Mayor Brown
came later and gave II as his opinion
that the old, committee could no long
er act and that a new one should De
/. | appointed. since the proPosdi. q oHi4N
ing a combined city hall and memorial
building had been held up.
Frank Hammond expressed his ap'
rroval OF the scheme. but said be be-
reved the project should embrace a
large gymnasium with shower baths
ard a floor large enough for basket
ball and indoor games.
A. ]. Marko. John Huchel Theo
Klotz. Floyd Murray and v. j. cupr
also made short speeches.
Election Of permanent offcers fo'
the association was then taken up viii
the following results:
President, John Huchel.-
Vice President. Frank Hamm@nd-
Secretary-Treasurer. Dick Williams .
committee was then appointed q
circulate petitions which are to b'
presented to the city council VIII
recommendations The members arr
: - fol&ws: Frank O'Rourke. e G
{ Srroat. Ed Kline, Mel Monnet anc
Frank Martin.
Another meeting will be held prob
ably at the same place next FRIDAY
= evening.