Dear Editor: On October 7, Sitka residents will have the opportunity to vote on Ballot Proposition 1, which uses future funds from the sale of Sitka Hospital and tobacco taxes for the construction and/or maintenance of athletic and recreational facilities.
As the president of Sitka Youth Soccer and a parent of three school-aged kids, I strongly support a YES vote on Proposition 1.
If we support the proposition, funds could be used for multiple outdoor recreation projects. A possible vision is a turfed softball field, a multiuse field, a rubberized track, and LED stadium lights. These improvements would solve several community issues. Our softball teams would have a dedicated field to practice and play on rather than competing for space. Youth football and soccer teams wouldn’t struggle for field time on a non-regulation (baseball) field, with only muddy, unsafe alternatives like Lower Moller and Kimsham. And our track teams would have a competition-ready surface instead of a pothole-riddled dirt track. Further, I can envision Sitkans of all ages using safe, well-lit and modern facilities for walking, jogging, exercise, or watching games from the sidelines.
Our community deserves an outlet for healthy activities and our youth deserve access to modern sports facilities.
I also want to acknowledge concerns that these funds should go toward child care. Child care is certainly one of Sitka’s greatest challenges, but the proceeds from the hospital sale are neither immediate enough nor consistent enough to address it. Fortunately, our city Assembly is actively considering a much larger, high-priority funding package focused on child care. Proposition 1 funds, while valuable, are not adequate for that need.
Proposition 1 represents an investment in youths, expanded recreation opportunities, and stronger community wellbeing. I urge Sitkans to vote YES on October 7. To learn more about how these projects would benefit our community, please visit www.scoreforsitka.org.
Brian Farley,
Sitka Youth Soccer
