Spoils Field Property - Simple Step to Revitalization

In conversations with community residents, most everyone is familiar with the Spoils Field Complex and its long time use as a facility for adult softball and youth baseball, especially the annual Greenhills - Finneytown Knothole All-Star Game that takes place typically over the July 4th holiday weekend and broadcast a multitude of times on Waycross.

Not many are aware though that the facility also has a soccer field that has sat largely unused for many years, despite being maintained to somewhat a playable level during that time. When I explored the use of the facility for soccer games and practices in my role as President of Greenhills SAY Soccer, the feedback I received from those who managed it was that there was concern for the safety of those playing soccer on the complex due to foul balls being struck into the soccer field. Another challenge for its use was a modest fee, required for any use of the facility. I believe both of these concerns can be addressed with my proposal, and as well, we could look to a much more compelling revenue stream from facility in fairly short order.

The field itself is a natural amphitheater, with the hill on the northeast side (see diagram above, click to expand) serving as a natural place for fans to sit. The field size falls within a fairly standard range for older adolescent (SAY Strikers and Kickers, or U12-U14) sized fields. There continues to be a pressing demand for this size soccer field in our area, both from the recreational program as well as the select program in the area.

More compelling though is the need for a reliable adult soccer facility in the area. Soccer is one of the fastest growing recreational options for adults. And as our community ages, we will continue to see an opportunity to create a facility that meets the demand for those who wish to continue to stay active by playing soccer.

The model includes three components. First, I am proposing the installation of a net as indicated in the diagram above to minimize the risk of softballs entering the soccer complex during game/practice play. This frankly is only an issue when activities are being played at both facilities. However, it will also serve as an effective backstop for soccer balls struck toward the goal from the soccer field, keeping them from entering the baseball complex.

Second, the establishment of an organized league will be critical to the success of the program. I had met earlier this year with a representative of the United States Adult Soccer Association at a regional conference earlier this year, and discussed with her the possibility of initiating a program in our area. The process is very simple, and has at its core the alignment with a modest group of interested players, an available facility, insurance coverage, and identification and recruitment of referees. There are local representatives of this group who will gladly work with us to get things started.

The third component will be to establish interest and recruit within the community. Now granted, there are adult programs already up and running in the immediate region, e.g. at the Kolping Society just down the road. However, the opportunity is more focused on the regional recreational component rather than highly developed adult soccer that you'll find at Kolping. In much the same way that there are tiered levels of softball associated with skills and level of commitment, the league we would recruit for is intended to support a less competitive level of soccer.

The breakdown from a benefits standpoint I believe is fairly straight forward:

Direct Benefits

• Enhanced revenue through usage and registration fees of teams / leagues
  
• Enhanced revenue associated with concessions at the facility
• Additional funding from soccer fees to facilitate upkeep of baseball / softball complex
• Expanded use of the facility, given soccer is a 8 months-a year activity, and soccer can be played even when whether is somewhat inclement, within reason.
  
• Secondary revenue to local/regional restaurant / entertainment facilities as a result attendees at soccer games making other purchases (see bottom page 4)

Indirect Benefits

• Improved image of the community as a destination for fun, recreational activities.
• Expansion of choices for recreational participation for our adults with interests other than softball.

Ideas such as this require further analysis and feedback from the community at large. As a councilman, I would also go about the task of spearheading the building of an economic model that defines the costs and benefits before making a recommendation to the Council and the Village Manager. But I hope that this gives you some perspective as to the thought process I would apply in weighing options for our community. I would take this same approach to the considerations we are making for the much more comprehensive plans the Village is planning in the months to come.