Reader says “sports groups” already have more “skin in the game” than any other organization or group of organizations in town

Reader says “sports groups” already have more “skin in the game” than any other organization or group of organizations in town

The “sports groups” already have more “skin in the game” than any other organization or group of organizations in town. They privately raised the funds and paid for the renovation of Maple Park, (A million bucks, the Council didn’t spend a dime and until recently they haven’t spent a dime on maintenance either.) they annually pay for upgrades and renovations to both BOE and Village owned facilities including baseball fields, gymnasiums, and other fields. They have paid for installation of sprinkler systems, drainage, seeding, backstops, backboards, padding, bleachers, scoreboards, lights, and the list goes on and on. The problem with the support is that the BOE and the Village have become dependant on the funds. The HS athletic teams are supported by the sports groups by over $200,000 per year in private funding at least. Sports groups purchase uniforms, pay for coaches, pay for buses, etc…. In return for that support you better believe they are going to demand the best playing surfaces available for their teams.

In regards to paying for the maintance and repairs, the sports groups would probably make that trade in a heart beat. Pay for maintenance and repairs on the turf fields in return for the BOE and Village fulfilling their responsibilities for all of the other items would be a major win for the sports groups and net loss for both the BOE and Village Council.