Getting active

Shawnee resident Russ Oliver remembers his childhood days of playing little league baseball, football and basketball with his friends, but  he said he has seen a reduction in children participating in youth activities and he plans on doing something about it.
Oliver is president of the newly-formed organization Shawnee Youth Athletic Association. The group’s mission is to give youth of Shawnee and the surrounding area the opportunity to develop their athletic skills and learn life lessons, including dedication, responsibility and good sportsmanship. In order to do that, the group needs the city of Shawnee’s help.
Oliver said when he was growing up, he had many opportunities to play sports and develop his skills.
“I think that is what this group wants to bring back to Shawnee,” Oliver said.
He said the group doesn’t see the numbers that there were 20 years ago. Numbers today are about 300, while, 20 years ago, they were about 1,300 participants.
The SYAA organization approached Shawnee City Commissioners Monday night with a proposal to upgrade Lions Club Park and provide an improved athletic program. Oliver said first priorities for the group are softball and baseball with a target date of spring 2009, but the group needs to begin on the fields now.
Commissioners agreed to allow SYAA to begin updating Lions Club Park under the supervision of Parks Superintendent James Bryce until a formal agreement could be reached.
Oliver said priorities for Lions Club are weed control, adding dirt, restroom repair and concession stand repair.
“This is a band-aid,” Oliver said. He went on to say after the first year the organization would re-sod the fields, implement irrigation, improve fencing and fix the scoreboards.
Commissioner Pam Stephens said it is vital to begin work on the fields now for the spring leagues. She said the SYAA group is wanting an agreement to start managing the fields at Lions Club Park.
“I like it,” Stephens said.
She said there are the children in the community that want to participate in youth activities, but the program is not there. Stephens said if the city isn’t going to step up and do it and there is a group of people willing to do it, then the city should let them begin the upgrades.
Mayor Chuck Mills said he wanted to make sure the YMCA wasn’t being left out and that the SYAA could work with them.
YMCA CEO Tracy Walker said the two entities have met and are willing to work together. She said it would be a “natural bridge to get children involved.”
“We are going to work hand in hand,” Walker said.
Oliver said the SYAA will work with the YMCA and the Shawnee Youth Soccer Association.
The city’s contract review committee will meet to develop a contract for the management of the fields at Lions Club.
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Amanda Gire may be reached at 214-3934.