I am writing this letter in reference to the article, “Mohler: Buc Field never meant for games,” page A8, June 21 Herald.

I find it totally incredible that this issue has even any merit for discussion — yet it is believable. Having attended many of the preplanning meetings for Kingston High School after bond passage, the one apparent stand-out feature was that this was to be a legacy project for the then-superintendent of the district and some aging school board members, but it was poorly thought out.

I won’t go into a lengthy dissertation about the questionable decision of choosing the parcel of land KHS was built on, with its restrictive-use wetland areas and now, apparently, its habitat and environmentally imposing threats.

At this point, what needs to be addressed is the school board and district administration’s lack of leadership during the planning stages of KHS. This article alludes to making North Kitsap Stadium a mutually shared space, like many other multi-high school districts do, leaving it up to the two ASBs and coaching staffs to work out the details. Utopianism?

If you dig into the Herald’s archives and read some of the commentaries published a few years back, several NK (Viking) voices gave scathing replies about showing any colors other than purple and gold — “not OUR stadium.” It was like asking them to accept a sex offender into their neighborhood. Nice district support!

I am a proud Kingston community member and parent in the KHS Buccaneers’ family, yet I do support the concept of a shared facility for athletic competitions. As nice as it would be to have your own home field to play on, this day and age dictates it is not fiscally the best alternative.

The leadership during the building of this school failed to adequately address this issue that now is haunting us. The adults in the NKSD community need now to step up, deal with the reality — it’s the way it is going to be — and guide our children positively in that direction. The Bucs’ field and track will remain the quality facility it is for practices; North Kitsap Stadium will be the competitive venue for both schools.

Chuck Veilleux
Kingston