Wilmington, NC News

The field house for the New Hanover High School football team was deemed imminently dangerous in December of 2007, but players and coaches have continued to use it until recently.

Everything inside the field house was removed last week and Tuesday night the New Hanover County School Board will discuss its future.

The Jap Davis Field House is off limits to players and coaches; in fact everyone for that matter.

It sits empty now. The building used to be the afternoon haunt for Sonny Jurgenson, Roman Gabriel, Trot Nixon and another thousand New Hanover Wildcats.

The Davis Field House has an endless list of problems though, too many to name.

In summary, it’s been deemed unsafe.

Keith Moore is the Director of Athletics at New Hanover and he’s looking for a quick solution. “It seems like the one that might work the best for us is if we’re allowed to proceed with the renovations of the existing building, and if nothing else get the kids back onto the first floor where they can utilize the locker rooms, restrooms and shower facilities.”

The New Hanover High School football team will practice every morning until the new school year cranks up. For now the field house can only serve as their backdrop.

Some folks at New Hanover prefer tearing the building down and building a new one, but that process could take at least five years due to a required bond referendum.

The New Hanover County School Board meets tonight and may give New Hanover High School an answer. Keith Moore says time is a major concern, but the high school has a loyal and large alumni base that goes back 86 years.

He may be calling out for their support in the near future.