When I first heard no stadium was planned for our kids at CHS, I thought they meant yet. I assumed phases were laid out as at TVHS, which grew to a comprehensive facility as its student body grew. When I realized advocates of a stadium at CHS had lost the debate, I knew I was hitting one of those cultural walls I sometimes run into when I am enjoying barefeet in January. In the Midwest, where I come from, a school without a stadium is called elementary.

Our district has done a fantastic job, maybe even an impossible job of keeping our exploding community in school buildings. Of course classrooms come first. The question for me is how much am I willing to give up in deference to people who have not even thought of moving to Temecula yet.

Right now I'm looking at a marching band practicing under the dim lights of the parking lot, a football team cutting practice short at the crucial end of the season because the sun has gone down, soccer teams hosting CIF level play with spectators set on a small rack of temporary bleachers, and a track team straining to set times comparable to their league mates running on the advantage of an all-weather track. By next year, when CHS hosts its first four-year student body, it will have outgrown its capacity to hold assemblies in the gymnasium.

I know not everyone will deem a comprehensive facility at our newest high school a priority. It remains to be seen if Temecula can pull off the unique mix of demographics we are sprouting. Can we nurture both senior communities and schools and parks? We surprised everyone when we approved community service fees at a rate far surpassing the 2/3rds necessary. We support two senior centers, a beautiful park system, we are considering a new library. If Pop Warner football and Temecula Soccer Club can practice under lights, can't our high school teams?

I think we can support comprehensive facilities for all our high school students. I know I want to try. I believe in investing in the capacity of the class of 2000, and 2001 and 2002 for that matter. If you can support us in this drive, join us for the Puma Stadium Dinner Auction on April 16 or the swap meet/pancake breakfast on May 22. For more information, call the stadium drive at 695-4200, ext. 158.