This isn't going to end well.
To the surprise of no one, the Upper Darby School Board last night went ahead with its plan to terminate the longtime lease of the Clifton Heights Springfield Road athletic fields to the borough.
The lease now will end Aug. 6.
The school board held a special meeting last night after Clifton started the process of considering zoning changes that would put up some roadblocks to the district's plan to build a much-needed middle school on the 13 acres that many in Clifton Heights consider "Sacred Ground."
Now that Sacred Ground is about to become a battlefield.
There are solid arguments on both sides of this issue.
The district has not built a new school in 50 years. Its middle schools are bursting at the seams.
No one is arguing the need for the school.
Where is the issue.
Especially with the people in Clifton Heights.
Yes, the district is trying to assure them that the new facility will include fields for their youth sports organizations.
But to borough residents, it's clearly more than that.
Its their last sliver of open space, the place where the community gathers for family gatherings and events the bond the community such as the annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks show. It's even home to the youth sports fundraiser Cow Pie Bingo.
But the district owns the fields. Could they build somewhere else? Sure, but not a spot as big as this, and not one they already own, meaning the cost is going to be a lot more.
Now it looks like both sides are locked in.
The district looks like it is ready to start putting shovels into the ground.
The borough is threatening to sue.
That's the least surprising news to come out of this saga.
See you in court.
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