Condition, number of soccer fields continues to plague City Council

September 21, 2007
Santa Paula City Council

The condition of area soccer fields continued to dog the City Council, which is being asked to ensure that fields are maintained, more play space provided and security stepped up.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe condition of area soccer fields continued to dog the City Council, which is being asked to ensure that fields are maintained, more play space provided and security stepped up.At the Sept. 4 meeting AYSO Regional Commissioner Sylvia Santiagosaid that the need for soccer fields “goes way back to when my son was five...he’s 31 now” and needs continue.There are about 700 area children enrolled in soccer programs and more turned away due to space constraints and Santiago said that existing fields - including those provided at area schools - are in poor condition.“AYSO is willing to step up and help out, we do have funds...”Of the more than 1,000 AYSO regions Santa Paula is number 82 which “tells us we’re kind of a founder” in the sport.Santiago noted that the issue has been “addressed and readdressed and readdressed” but that safety issues plague both Teague Park and Isbell Middle School.“Many, many kids who want to play have been held back” due to the lack of facilities.Councilman Ralph Fernandez noted Santiago’s remark about AYSO financial support: “What do you envision? Better existing fields or finding new fields?”
Ventura AYSO has made arrangements to help maintain a city park and more options are being explored she noted.Fernandez encouraged Santiago to continue to study the issue and “together we might be able to meet some needs that we have...”Community Services Director Brian Yanez complimented Santiago for stepping in to run AYSO when it was at risk.Park maintenance is planned and “we definitely have to make arrangements with AYSO” for the use of alternative play space although “we’ll make sure that we have a smooth transition” that will not interrupt the season.Jerry Marquez, who previously addressed the Council on the issue, said that soccer players help to maintain the parks but some factors, such as sprinklers, still create hazards.“...we had several kids get hurt, we got fed up and did something about it,” he noted but security has become an issue.Basketball courts are drawing adult players who are becoming aggressive toward the soccer players and adults: “Some of the players that are going there are not nice and we’ve seen several fights while we’re practicing” drawing a police response.Although such incidents are dispersed “it’s not good for the kids, we want to set an example for the kids,” said Marquez.“I encourage anyone who sees anything like that to please call 911,” said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.



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