TOWN HALL MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 8TH
AT VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE GYM (next to the ice arena)
Several Victoria residents attended the April 12^th city council meeting to ex-press their views regarding possible future uses of the Victoria Field House.  Both Southwest Christian High School, current-ly located in Chaska, and School District 112 have expressed interest in acquiring the Field House.
At the end of discussion and audi-ence participation, councilmembers agreed to hold a town meeting for the express purpose of discussing the future of the Victoria Field House.  That public meeting has since been scheduled for Tuesday, May 8^th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Victoria Field House Gymnasium.
The first speaker on April 12^th was Heather Cole, a resident of Deer Run who stated, "I am here to respectfully request a town meeting to discuss the Field House.  Discussion so far has been in closed meetings.  We're all on the same side.  We all want what's best for Victoria."
Elise Vadnais, a teenage resident who is a sophomore at Southwest Christian High School, stated, "I grew up in Vic-toria.  My parents are Tim and Carol Vadnais who have lived here 18 years.  I understand Southwest Christian has made an offer for the Field House ...
"Many students from Victoria attend Southwest Christian.  The school has  been searching for a new home for quite a few years.  We're growing and we need a better facility.  Southwest would be a great asset to this town.  I know Victoria and I know Southwest."
Resident Tim Vadnais said, "I speak in support of the purchase agreement by Southwest Christian High School.  It fits well in three ways ...
"The leadership at Southwest Chris-tian is exceptional.  The school is in its 12^th year now and has close ties to the community.  Southwest Christian is small enough to leave many of the facilities open and in place for the community.  The citizen product includes maturity, scholars of the truth, servants of the community."
Tim Chase stated, "I speak on behalf of Southwest Christian.  My wife Judy and I live in Eagan.  We sent our children K-8 in Rosemount and were looking for high school opportunities, searched hard and found Southwest Christian High School ...
"It's a school unlike any other in the Twin Cities.  We made a decision to move from Eagan to take advantage of opportu-nities here ...
"Our children now attend Chapel Hill Academy [in Chanhassen].  We live in Deer Run.  We are as impressed with Vic-toria as a community ...
"This is a tremendous opportunity to bring another school to Victoria.  This would further elevate the quality of the community.  We ask for your great con-sideration to bringing Southwest Chris-tian into the community."
Carver Johnson, a Victoria resident at Allegheny Grove, said, "After only four years of being here, I don't think the Field House should be converted into a school.  I think you'd regret it."
Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, "Would you be willing to pay higher tax-es?"
"Yes, I would," replied Mr. Johnson.
Victoria resident Christina Nelson said, "We were looking for a small com-munity.  I'm very concerned about the Field House being taken away from us.  The vision of my children being able to run over to play with other children ... it's nearly in our backyard.  I'm sorry I'm so emotional, but I am.
"There have to be better options.  We lived in Eden Prairie before Victoria.  Imagine if they would have given up on Eden Prairie Center!  The Field House has only been here four years.  Taking away the Field House is not a good option."
Asked Councilmember Roden, "Would you be willing to pay higher taxes?"
"Absolutely!" stated Mrs. Nelson.  "I think more should be brought to Victoria  -- swimming lessons, basketball ..."
Resident Peter Bren at Narcissus Court said, "The Field House belongs to the residents.  Anything that happens there should be voted on by the communi-ty.  There's common ground for both Southwest Christian High School and Victoria to be there.  I think that would be a great option and great support for every-body.  I'm completely against raising taxes."

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