Things got heated during a recent town hall meeting when one citizen demanded answers about the dilapidated gymnasium inside the Boys and Girls Club.
Yazoo City resident Wallace Russell said it is unacceptable that the gymnasium in the former junior high building has been allowed to deteriorate over the past several months. A damaged roof and water leaks have created what many call a “cesspool” inside the gym that was heavily used by members of the local Boys and Girls Club.
Russell called the gym a “combat zone,” adding that many of the teenage boys who frequented the Boys and Girls Club because of the activities inside the gym have since stopped coming to the program.
“This is a problem that was going on before you got here,” Russell said, to Edwards. “Money might be the problem, but we are talking about water leaks and the roof. Perhaps fix it to where the water leaks stop.”
Russell also added the building’s historic value should show the urgency to resolve the problem.
Edwards said he has visited the building several times since his arrival six months ago. But he would not commit to any future repairs or financial backing until the problems are properly assessed.
“It has been assessed for years,” Russell replied. “It’s time to make a decision.”
During the town hall meeting, Mayor Diane Delaware said that the city and the school district can work together to see what can be done for the building.
“But we will put our resources where our children are and not where they are not,” Delaware added.
“The school district destroyed it,” Russell said, taking his seat.
Edwards said resolving the issues within the gym falls under a “unique situation.” The Boys and Girls Club, the school district and the city of Yazoo City all fall under a complex agreement with the leasing of the former school building.
“Right now, the school district is not in a position to fix (it),” Edwards said, Monday morning. “As a new superintendent, we need to look at things from our present financial state before we take in new projects.”
Edwards added that the district is currently addressing school bus and boiler issues within the school buildings.
“We do have other things that take priority,” Edwards said. “We have problems within some of our buildings that have kids in them right now. We simply have to take time and assess the situation from a financial standpoint on what we can afford.”
Edwards said the repairs to the gym would be a major, and expensive, project.
“We would more than likely have to tap into outside agencies to provide the renovations needed in that building,” Edwards said.
