Granville Then & Now – September 10, 2020

By Erik Pekar, Town Historian

The renovation of the football field and track at the Granville High School is nearing completion. The track is now paved. The old goal posts and scoreboard have been replaced. The new scoreboard, topped with a sign saying, "Granville Golden Horde", was placed on its posts August 27. The new fence has been completed; the top railing is covered with a blue fence top protector. The areas of grassless dirt around the track have been seeded with grass, and within a few weeks will look like there always was grass growing there.

The old track's fence had only two entrances: one on the north end of the track, to the parking lot; and another at the south end, facing southwest to Memorial Lane, with a "turnstile-like" revolving pole with horizontal bars. The new fence has six entrances, three approximately on the school side of the track, and three on the Church Street side, across from the other group of entrances. All six are simple gates, unlike the old south entrance.

The main entrance to the high school itself has received a makeover. The faux stone walking area, installed during an earlier school renovation project in the late 2000s, was replaced with regular concrete. A rather important addition is the new concrete ramp to the doors that lead to the senior high gymnasium. This will allow for easier accessibility to this gym for those who need the ramp; previously they would have had to enter the lower entrance and go around through a hallway to get to the gym.

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The decorative lights on the buildings of Main Street are a sight to see. The lights were installed last fall, as Christmas lights, by volunteers and the village DPW. In a move showing optimism and hope during the early days of the pandemic, these lights were turned back on. At that time businesses were being subjected to restrictions or being made to close, whether by mandate or by the burden of the restrictions. The intention at the time was to turn off the lights when the situation improved, and the businesses affected reopened.

However, the situation has improved since then. Gemini Fitness has reopened and Slate Valley Lanes is in the process of reopening; both were closed since March. Morse's Diner and Pizzeria is reopening as well.

The purpose of the lights of hope and optimism has been fulfilled. Things are looking good and Granville is on the right track. This results in the question, when will the lights be turned off? In any case, after the lights are turned off, Granville will look forward to seeing their new Christmas lights turned back on closer to the holiday season.