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Board discusses volunteer-run youth fields, city utilities and proposal for hotel-motel tax fund
Summary
The Pryor Creek Park Board reviewed maintenance arrangements for youth sports fields, noted the city pays utilities while volunteer groups handle most upkeep, and discussed pursuing hotel-motel tax funding to create a stable fund for youth-sports needs.
Board members discussed long-running reliance on volunteer organizations to build and maintain youth sports fields, the city’s payment of utilities for those fields, and a proposal to seek hotel-motel tax support to create a dedicated fund for youth-sports maintenance and capital needs.
Frank (parks staff member) said the city mows many fields and pays utilities, but leagues and volunteer groups handle day-to-day maintenance and most capital improvements. “We pay for all utilities. Yep. The city pays for all,” Frank said, describing past instances where the parks department covered significant utility costs when volunteer groups did not timely repair irrigation or fountains.
Board members said many of the city’s soccer and baseball facilities were built by local volunteers and community fundraisers; the city’s role historically has been to mow and provide some support. Members noted recurring challenges: volunteer leadership turnover, inconsistent communication about keys and access, and occasional unbudgeted utility costs borne by the city.
To address revenue instability, a board member reported they had approached the hotel-motel tax board and discussed raising the set-aside to create a standing fund for youth sports maintenance and capital needs. The board discussed establishing formal organizational structures around each field so volunteer groups can manage scheduling and fundraising effectively; in the past the board has favored leagues and formally organized groups when scheduling conflicts arise.
No formal action was taken; board members asked staff to pursue further conversations with the hotel-motel tax authority and to return with options for a dedicated youth-sports fund and a proposed governance approach for field-user organizations.
