HomeMy WebLinkAboutSports complex Public Comment from Mariska Mackenzie-Heyboer 2-14From:mariska mackenzie-heyboer
To:Agenda; Jeff Graff
Subject:Please support & approve the Bozeman Sports Park
Date:Thursday, February 27, 2014 2:54:50 PM
Dear TOP committee and Bozeman city commission,
As you know, Bozeman is extremely lucky to have an opportunity to improve our parks and
trails system via our recently passed parks and trails bond. Our town is unmatched in
Montana as a high quality place to live and I hope that as you consider funding the sports
park that you do so at a level that reflects that quality.
While we are significantly behind other communities in Montana with regard to supporting
the demand for multi-use playing fields and currently have 10x the number of players in
soccer and lacrosse than we did when Bronken fields was donated and developed 15 years
ago to service 300 players. Personally, my daughter Milou (now 10 years old) has been
playing soccer since 1st grade and is loving it! That said, I strongly would recommend that
we should develop a sports park that meets current needs and recognizes the inevitable
growth of our town and youth sports.
The development of a high quality sports park that is capable of hosting large statewide and
regional tournaments is a must if we are to compete with other cities for the millions of
dollars of tourism related revenue associated with youth and adult sport tournaments. In
addition to tourism, it will also support the growing demand for a MSU soccer program
which will come with its additional benefits; like any other MSU program.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and to your commitment to Bozeman's Parks
and Trails. I encourage you to cast your support to fund at the greatest level possible a high
quality sports park that will reflect a commitment to our youth that will be a source of pride
for our city.
Sincerely,
Mariska Mackenzie-Heyboer