Anyone involved in the Arlington athletic community knows that we have a serious shortage of fields for our children to play on. The fields we do have are in less than adequate shape and will require much needed repairs. The damage is caused by overuse and the only way to fix this is to close the field to repair it and let it restore to playability. I have been a member of the Facility Advisory Committee for the Arlington School District for the past few months and they are well aware of this issue.

The Arlington School District knows that it will have to come up with something to make sure that all fields are in safe playing condition. Money is an issue and with our state budget deficit growing I’m told that fields will be well down the list on monies spent. This brings a challenge that the community of Arlington needs to rally around … we need good fields for our children and turf in our high school stadium.

I’m forming a committee of dedicated persons who are willing to make this happen. Like the Performing Arts Center, they raise the necessary funds in order to get it built. We want to do the same to put synthetic turf in our stadium. I’m inviting you to join us for our first meeting on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in the commons at Haller Middle School. Even if you’re not sure you want to join our committee I hope you will attend, we need our community support to make this happen.

Having a synthetic turf stadium is something that the school district, high school administration, athletic director, coaches all want and the benefits of it are great. It will give us the ability to use the stadium 24/7,365 days a year. Currently it is used approximately 40 – 50 times a year. This will take tremendous pressure off the other fields at the high school and in our community which will allow them to remain in a good, safe, playable condition. Using the stadium more will also generate a greater income for the high school. Simply put, more events bring in more money.

There has been talk in our community about having turf put in the stadium since it was built. We are now at a point where something must be done. The field is in very bad shape and will take some funds just to “band-aid” it for this year. I’m done talking about this and we are going to make it happen. Please join in this effort. Think of the pride our community will have when we walk into a truly first class stadium that athletes, students, staff, parents and local businesses made happen. This will benefit our community for many years to come.

Jim Welton

AYFA Coaches Representative