By Gary S. Hatrick
A long-time youth sports volunteer and leader asked the Zephyrhills City Council to consider forming a youth recreation board to oversee youth sports programs that use city fields and facilities.
Lee Mahon has been involved with youth football since 1981 as a coach, referee, board member, equipment manager, program director and fundraising coordinator for several organizations. He approached the board with the support of and at the invitation of Councilman Lance Smith.
In a letter sent to the city council prior to his appearance before council, Mahon said, “The goal is to establish a board to help monitor activities at the city fields, coordinate the use of the fields, oversee and approve new ventures of the smaller boards, and assist with the needs of the programs.”
Mahon expressed the concern that schools may have to cut some sports programs due to budget restraints. “This puts pressure on the city to maintain the city leagues, so these children have a place to participate.”
“These city leagues are intended to not only provide recreation, but also positive role models in an attempt to keep the children of our city out of trouble, Mahon added.
Several programs have been discontinued or have suffered in quality over the past few years due to the inability to raise enough financial support, lack of volunteers or leadership difficulties. Mahon explained that a youth recreation board would help to find solutions to those needs.
“The Youth Recreation Board would raise funds for the city leagues’ needs, keeping up and enhancing the city’s current parks and recreation facilities, future builds, future programs, and to start up programs previously available such as the Dixie Softball League, the Zephyrhills’ Youth Soccer League and the Zephyrhills’ Youth Basketball League,” he wrote.
Mahon told the council that rather than losing programs, “these leagues should be really growing.”
All of the city council members expressed support for the concept, but asked what form the board would take, who would serve on the board, what authority it would have and how it would be related to the city.
It’s important to provide a foundation to support the youth of the community,” said Councilman Tim Urban. “You have my support on this.”
“You definitely have mine,” added newly elected councilman Charlie Proctor.
Mahon was asked to return to the board at a later date with a more formal request.
In other council news, the city council
— Agreed to revisit the billing structure for water provided to RV parks
— Approved a resolution in support of keeping US 301 as a two-way road through the city. A Florida Department of Transportation meeting will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at Alice Hall to discuss the project.
— Discussed questioning procedures for the city manager applicant interviews, scheduled to begin 9 a.m. Saturday at City Hall. The public is welcome to view the interviews.
