Growth in youth sports spurred drive for athletic facility upgrades

The demand is there, petition organizer says

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Staff Writer

On one hand, if you take a look at the athletic facilities situation in Burlington – especially where state-ranked high school wrestling and gymnastics teams practice (and in the case of gymnastics, compete) – there is a need for improvement compared to other area schools.

On the other hand, what kind of funding can a cash-strapped district trying to save money provide for more athletic facilities?

Striking the balance between the two, said Kevin Bird, is the goal in an effort to find more space – and upgrade current facilities – for area athletic teams.

Bird is currently spear-heading a petition drive, hoping to gain enough signatures – both in old-fashioned ink and in an online petition (site can be found by clicking here) – to try and convince the School Board to explore options in regards to upgrading and expanding athletic facilities within the district.

The petition aims to convince the district to schedule a referendum that would allow district voters to weigh in on a plan to fund facility expansion and improvement through borrowing or other methods.

“A lot of programs can’t use the facilities because they don’t have the space,” Bird said. “The more people I talked to, the more people said, ‘You’re right.’”

Burlington High School Activities Director Eric Plitzuweit has conceded the current facilities are overloaded.

“Our facilities are booked all the time,” Plitzuweit said two weeks ago. “You name a night, we’ve got something going on.”

According to Bird, it hit critical mass this spring. Because of the frequent rain, teams that normally would’ve been outside – like track, baseball and softball – were all competing for the same gym space.

Bird said that teams were practicing as late as 9 or 9:30 p.m., stretching students’ days late into the evening.

That doesn’t even begin to account for youth sports – such as Little League or youth wrestling – or middle or grade-school level events.

“I think it gets back to the youth,” said Bird, who is a coach in Burlington’s youth wrestling program. “Kids involved in athletics, their academic GPA is higher. It’s going to help expand our education.

“But more importantly, it’s going to get kids into bed at an earlier hour.”

The facilities upgrade Bird wants to see considered includes the construction of an auxiliary gym – a multi-use facility that would serve wrestling and gymnastics, and also a new weight room.

He also wants to see the BHS Athletic Field upgraded to artificial turf, so teams can practice outside even if it is wet – and so BHS can possibly host other activities as well.

In addition to seeking a referendum, there are two other key points Bird is pushing. One is the idea of using fundraising and donations, and the other is changing district policy to allow for naming rights and sponsorships.

“The support we seek is based on the need and simply to explore the costs and financing options available,” he said.

Right now, the online petition is stalled at about 18 signatures. However, Bird is planning to start a real push this weekend.

“I’ve already gone out and got signatures on hard copies,” Bird said. “We’ll hit the households, and clubs, and boosters.

“The School Board won’t look at any of those (options) until they know the community is behind (upgrading).”

The point he is stressing is that upgraded facilities will benefit the district’s children.

“Youth sports are exploding,” Bird said.