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[ MEDIA RELEASE ] |
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[ 10/02/2002 ]
Keep your eye on the ball
By Barbara Hollings
Sun Staff Writer
This Story was published: 10/02/2002
OXFORD – For members of the Chenango “Chargers” Soccer Club, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and begin the task of completing the final phase of construction at the 21-acre David L. Emerson Soccer/Sports Farm complex in Oxford.
Although a matching New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation grant in the amount of $205,472 was announced by the state on July 24, club members have been hard at work facing what”Chargers’” President James Bleyle has described as a challenge.
“It’s more of a challenge than a grant,” said Bleyle. “The state believes enough in us that they have thrown a carrot out to us.”
Bleyle explained that in addition to the group’s current debt, it will now need to raise an additional $215,000 to meet grant demands. “We have continued programming, facility maintenance as well as the final construction phase to worry about,” said Bleyle.
“There’s plenty of work ahead of us to make this all a reality,” added consultant Albert L. Colone of Colone Associates.
Previous money raised for the project helped the group to get the project “off the ground,” said Bleyle. “We didn’t want to wait another year when we knew the need was there. Whether or not that was the right thing to do is easy to answer. Just ask the kids who are playing on the new fields.”
Currently the group is looking to raise enough funds for the construction of an additional soccer field, two softball fields, a 100-car parking lot with access from County Route 4 and interior road work, a perimeter walking trail and the conversion of an existing barn which would include a combination locker and changing area, rest rooms and food and gift concessions.
“The barn will be the major thing for us,” said Fred Bateman, grant writer for the group. “We’re also going to need the third full-size field fairly soon.”
Bateman explained that money to match the grant would be sought through a combination of cash and in-kind services. Some of those in-kind services might include material donations, but the maximum amount that we can seek is about half, he said.
“We’re hopeful of getting some of these kinds of service through rehabilitation, weatherization and general remodeling of the changing area,” said Bateman, adding that the group would look at talking to “previously untapped businesses” as well as seeking other private donations.
“Our current plans are to work on the restoration of the barn and the third soccer field. These are our priorities,” said Bleyle. Following that our “number one plan is to raise funds. Our board has authorized a plan to raise funds and we will be beating the bush.”
Since the addition of two soccer fields, the sports farm has seen a lot of activity including use by the Oxford Youth Sports program, games played by the Oxford School District, boys and girls soccer teams that played this past summer in the Nice ‘n Easy NY/NY Premier 2002 and Collegiate Soccer Preview. This past seasons games brought in over 4,000 spectators.
“As a club they’ve pulled it off,” said Colone. “I often hear from visiting teams ‘what a great resource you have in Chenango County. These are the very best fields. We’re going to be coming back to play again next year.’ I really think the team numbers are going to grow dramatically.”
Bleyle added: “The fields are being utilized. There is more room for growth. There will be more programs happening at the fields next year.”
Coming in October, the Oxford Youth and Recreational program will sponsor the Chenango Cup tournament to played on Columbus Day Weekend and plans are already under way for next year’s Nice ‘n Easy NY/NY Premier 2003 tournament.
“This club, that represents a county of 51,000, said they would bring funds from outside the community,” said Colone.
“They are doing it. They’ve delivered and I think it’s a real strength of this organization and concept that has
captured the interest of many funding sources including the state of New York.”
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