Harmon Field Parks and Recreation Director and Supervisor George Alley is taking the lead on saving Harmon Field&squo;s open-air gym.

Alley urged residents to attend the Polk County Board of Commissioners&squo; meeting Monday when he asking for the county&squo;s help in funding a new roof. County commissioners said they will consider their request after holiday a retreat this week.

Alley says the gym is worth saving, especially if planned renovations are made. After the roof is fixed, plans are to renovate the interior, which includes full locker rooms, storage, an office and a recreation room. A sport court playing surface will also be put on the gym floor with a fence around the outside, according to Alley. The court will allow basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, roller hockey and other games to be played in the gym area.

&dquo;There are also existing posts for one tennis court and don&squo;t forget the 25 ft. climbing wall,&dquo; Alley said in a statement sent to area residents recently.

Alley will be asking commissioners tonight for help in funding a new roof after Tryon Town Council directed Alley recently to find sources of funding for the gym. Council discussed last month either fixing the roof or demolishing the building. Estimates to fix the roof are approximately $40,000.

Tryon has applied for the 2009 N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant and included renovations to the gym, but the roof is critical and cannot wait for the grant funding, according to Tryon officials.