Dear Editor:

I've been involved with youth soccer in Killingworth for about ten years. The kids that I coached so many years ago are now in College or are in their senior year in High School. Sheldon Park brings good memories of hard fought games, but Sheldon is also a reminder of how few recreational facilities Killingworth has and what poor condition they are in. As our town has grown it has become evident that Killingworth needs more athletics fields and courts. This month we, the residents of Killingworth, have an opportunity to increase and improve our recreational facilities.

The most important reasons for investing in a new recreational complex are our kids. Kids that are involved in athletics and extra curricular activities are more likely to be healthy and less likely to get into trouble. Ten years ago parents were surprised that I was coaching when I had no kids on the team. How unselfish of me? Not true, when I got involved in youth soccer in Killingworth I had one goal in mind, I wanted to make sure that there would be a strong soccer organization in town for my children to participate in. I learned a lot in ten years and it has always been my joy and privilege to coach the athletes of Killingworth. Our teams are competitive. KLY 12-Years olds won the District IX title and the HK Soccer Club U14 boy's team finished second in the 2004 Indoor State Cup; both great accomplishments for our small town. The ability to have as many kids involved in sports is limited in Killingworth by inadequate facilities. The lack of fields put all our athletes at a disadvantage. They cannot practice as often as they should. We need to fix this problem. We need fields to get more kids involved in sports and to help them compete at an even level.

Although Sheldon's fields look green, especially early in the season, by midseason they are dust bowls full of rocks and holes. There are many reasons why this happens. Too many legitimate users, KYL, Babe Ruth baseball, girl's softball, men's softball, travel soccer, Park & Rec. soccer, men's soccer, women's soccer, lacrosse and some of the HK Middle School teams all use Sheldon Park. Practices are scheduled during the week, two and three teams per field. Games take place during the weekends, hundreds of users on too few fields. The fields do not have a chance to rest and grow grass. Where else can we play if we close them? The fields cannot be watered; there is no irrigation system. The fields do not have grass; they have weeds that make them look green. The fields do have plenty of rocks and holes where athletes can twist their ankles and hurt themselves. My point here is not that the fields need to look good, but that the fields need to be safe.

On November 20th there will be referendum to authorize bonding for $5.25 million to build a complex on the town owned Bosco property. The proposed Killingworth Recreational Complex (KRC) includes: one softball field, one T-ball field, three baseball fields, three soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a volleyball court, an ice skating rink, a playground and other amenities. The athletic fields will have irrigation systems. The complex will also have open space, close to half of the 133 acres, for passive recreation. The KRC is a facility that will help the sports clubs meet their needs for fields and is a facility that town residents, no matter what their age, can enjoy.

Before we can go to referendum there will be a town meeting on November 8th to discuss the project and bonding. At this meeting there is a possibility that someone will make a motion to delay the referendum. If this motion passes it is unlikely that the KRC project will ever happen. Please attend the town meeting this coming Monday, November 8th, 8:00 PM at KES. It is important that at least one parent attend the meeting, and that they be prepared to stay until the end of the meeting.

Finally, please support the KRC referendum by voting on Saturday, November 20th, at KES.

Thank you,

Dan Colonia
President HK Soccer Club

Dan Colonia is a member of the Killingworth Park & Recreation Commission, but this letter is not on behalf of that commission.