Organizers of new North Texas Youth Football League ask Wichita Falls for help finding fields for 700 children

Andrea Sanchez, speaking during the citizen-comments portion of the Sept. 16 Wichita Falls City Council meeting, told council members she represents organizers of a new North Texas Youth Football League and said about 700 local children are currently practicing but lack fields to play games.

Sanchez said the group could not reach an agreement with the Boys & Girls Club, which currently holds a contract for three fields on Fairway Boulevard; she quoted a cost the group could not meet and said the Boys & Girls Club contract gives the city authority to designate use but creates a barrier for community-organized leagues. Sanchez asked the council for guidance and assistance so the league could start games; she said the league has been practicing for six weeks and hoped to start play on the upcoming Saturday but had pushed the start date because of the field issue.

A deputy city attorney (identified in the record as a staff attorney) responded during the meeting and said parks staff could look into the contract issue and follow up, but noted insurance, background checks and bylaws or other organizational requirements would need to be met. The attorney cautioned the timeframe would be tight and that the council's contract with the Boys & Girls Club remains in effect. Parks and recreation staffers were said to be at a conference but would follow up with the league.