Reps clear Melrose bleachers

After more than 20 years of use, officials in the Melrose school district think it’s about time the bleachers in its gymnasium get replaced.

And two local lawmakers agree.

Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, and Rep. Jose Campos, D-Santa Rosa, are putting their support behind a capital outlay request that would provide the school district in this rural town with new bleachers.

The district is seeking $175,000 for the project.

“When the bleachers were put in back in 1982 they were fine,” said Ron Windom, the district’s superintendent. “But now we are sitting on steps, so to speak. The steps are seven inches in height from each other and we need to get that corrected. We have a lot of fans who can’t make that step, whether they are children or elderly.”

The district also wants to upgrade its handrails.

Windom said fixing the bleaches is his top priority this legislative session.

“This is a project that the board and administration is really involved in, as well as educators and the community,” he said. “We want to make our gym American with Disabilities Act acceptable and provide viewing for those people.”

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Windom’s wish list

Fixing the bleachers isn’t the only item on Windom’s list.

Other items include: