Build a new home for Sachem football at Robbie Mills?

LACONIA — The prospect of the city acquiring the former Laconia State School property on North Main Street and the School Board beginning to consider improvements to the high school on Union Avenue have prompted some to suggest moving the football field to the Robbie Mills Sports Complex off Meredith Center Road.

Yesterday, when the Finance Committee of the City Council and the Budget Committee of the School Board met to consider funding for the expansion and renovation of the Huot Technical Center, the issue of the football field arose in passing when the conversation touched on the future of the High School.

Both Chris Guilmett and Bob Dassati remarked that if the city acquired the 212-acres on North Main Street, the football field could be relocated in the northwest portion of the property bordering Eastman Road, adjacent to the Robbie Mills Sports Complex.

In April, at a planning charette where designs for the Huot Regional Techniocal Educaiton Center were presented, one option was to excavate the visitors' side of the gridiron and build into the slope. That prompted Joe Cormier, chairman of the Facilities Subcommittee of the School Board, to declare "this is sacred ground for Laconia High School and its alumni." He warned that the possibility of relocating the field could "take the momentum and energy away from the Huot" and said "I suggest we work around it."

Cormier was not present at yesterday's meeting.

In 2004, when the School Board proposed building a new high school, including a full complement of playing fields, off Parade Road there was little or no talk of the hallowed ground on Union Avenue where the football team has played for generations.