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Soccer field group seeks parks board help

WEIRTON — Organizers of an effort to upgrade a local youth soccer field have asked for support from the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation.

During Thursday’s board meeting, officials heard from Dan Spickard, president of the Rotary Club of Weirton Heights, and Bob Kolanko, president of the Tri-State United Soccer league concerning ongoing plans for improvements at the J.C. Williams Soccer Complex located on Colliers Way in Weirton.

The Rotary club has selected the youth soccer league as the beneficiary of its 2018 Mardi Gras Gala fundraiser event, with a vision of adding a new soccer field, a walking trail, lighting, playground and scoreboard.

“We could make it a place more of the community could use,” Spickard said.

It is estimated the planned improvements would cost $280,000.

“It’s a really nice facility now, but we want to expand on that,” Kolanko said.

The walking trail, Kolanko noted, could have use for Weirton Medical Center with its cardiac rehabilitation program, while other plans could help to attract other soccer events to the city.

The park board’s involvement, they explained, would be when it comes to the new playground being proposed.

Kolanko noted while the soccer fields are in use by teams in the league, the families of some players often also are there and may want something to do while waiting, especially the youth.

“They get bored. They need a place to play,” Kolanko said.

It was noted while the soccer league has insurance coverage for soccer-related activities at the complex, if the playground is in use while soccer games are not taking place, there could be liability concerns.

Park Board member Mike Adams initially expressed some concern with the request, as the property belongs to Starvaggi Industries, and is leased to the soccer league. Kolanko, however, said he had spoken with Starvaggi officials and felt an arrangement could be worked out through a sub-lease.

The soccer league, he said, would be responsible for upkeep of the property.

Other board members said they were in favor of the project, and would look to see if such an insurance agreement could be worked out.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Doug Finton said.

Deb Witkowski said any enhancement to the community is a good thing.

“It’s truly win-win,” she said.

Board Chair Ed Bowman said recreation often is one of the top three areas prospective residents look at when deciding whether to live in a community.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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