Youth sports leagues in Douglas County are speaking out about the need for more ballfields, following a town hall meeting that shed light on a proposed masterplan for the fairgrounds. Raptors football coach Billy Marsh, a concerned parent and coach, emphasized the importance of sports in teaching valuable life lessons to kids. He highlighted the lack of ballfields in the county as a major obstacle for young athletes.
Marsh stressed the need for fields with lighting, enabling fall sports to be played later in the evening. The issue of insufficient ballfields is attributed to the rapid growth in the area, a problem mirrored by the concerns raised by the county regarding safety, congestion, and availability at the fairgrounds.
During the town hall, County Director of Facilities Tim Hallmark discussed the proposed masterplan, which includes expanding the fairgrounds’ rodeo arena and livestock pavilion at the expense of three illuminated ballfields. This move aims to enhance the County Fair’s competitiveness with other events and programs in the region.
Marsh and other members of Raptors Athletics expressed their concerns at the meeting, urging commissioners to prioritize the construction of new fields before any existing ones are removed. The potential loss of fields could impact youth sports programs, leading to capacity issues and turning away young athletes.
Commissioners assured that if fields are lost, new ones can be built using funds from a sales tax allocated to towns. Marsh expressed satisfaction with the county’s response and highlighted the upcoming town hall on June 27, focusing on funding for parks and open spaces, as an opportunity to continue advocating for new ballfields.
While commissioners mentioned that renovations at the fairgrounds could take years to materialize, the county spokesperson declined to provide a timeline for finalizing the plan, emphasizing the importance of an effective public process. The community remains engaged in discussions about the future of the fairgrounds and the need for adequate sports facilities for youth in Douglas County.