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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSports complex Public Comment from Peter Bouloukos 3-6-14From:Peter Dean Bouloukos To:Agenda; Jeff Graff Cc:April Ganser Subject:Bozeman Sports Park - Date:Thursday, March 06, 2014 9:35:51 AM Dear Committee Members:My name is Peter Dean Bouloukos and I moved to Bozeman in November of 2010with my two daughters now ages eleven and thirteen. Within a few days I knew thiscommunity was where I needed to be. Making certain work sacrifices, I dove rightinto CAP Mentoring, spending time in the schools supporting events like the P.A.C.E.Walk in 2011 and then coaching soccer through the Bozeman Blitzz Programs. Ieven obtained a PSIA Certification and taught kids ski programs and classes atBridger Bowl part-time as it fit around my busy schedule. Having moved literally off the beaches of Ventura County, California to GallatinCounty, Montana was a big decision on a variety of fronts. Attached is a picture ofjust one of the community fields in Camarillo, California where the girls playedsoccer in AYSO Region 68 and I coached and donated time. I can not express howimportant it was for that region to have such a nice property to host soccertournaments, softball tournaments and a variety of community events. As a formerbusiness owner who employed over forty people, having quality fields andinfrastructure was important and attracted people from all over the region if not thecountry for certain events. Simply stated, on an accounting front, any initial cashexpenditure is not a liability it is an asset. It is an asset that will produce on-goingassets both financially and off the books where our kids, health and wellness isconcerned. Parks like these allow people to not only go out and play but also tosocialize, network and come together as a community. This very fact could providethe biggest returns of all. In my first season as a coach in Bozeman Blitzz Soccer it was clear that the kidsfundamentally were three to five years behind other kids in warmer regions of thecountry were agility, technique, hand-eye and more important skills that translateinto confidence and the joy found in playing. I struggled to find an appropriatepractice "pitch" for the kids to learn in literally what was a safe environment as onefield had holes and basically mowed weeds on the inconsistent grounds. Further,visualization is one key to learning, and practicing on fields without lines, goals orevenly mowed grounds hinders over-all development and in some cases the joy ofplaying and learning a new skill or the game itself. Next, in Spring of 2012 I decided to offer "Free" soccer and agility clinics for kidsages 3 to 14 years old. I have introduced skill concepts, leadership, team work andfair play to kids from all over the region in my subdivision park with no goals, lines,running water or bathrooms. We cart in water and I personally bring in 4' x 6' goalsfor the younger kids, but this is still not appropriate for development of the majority. Regardless, we play, teach and come together. It has been a very positive andrewarding experience for myself and many deserving kids in this community. Weoften have over 30 kids attend and every week we hear stories of how a childapplied something we practiced in their games, at home or in school. We have hadkids progress to the Olympic Development Program and another to Varsity Soccer atthe High School level as a Freshman. Further and more important, on our sod field (even though it is too small) I feel comfortable teaching agility techniques and this translates into four year old kidsfalling in love with the game as well as developing skills that translate into otheractivities be it leadership, listening skills or simply running correctly. Having theability to put these free weekly events into a proper field would be amazing on avariety of fronts, it's a powerful learning tool to have a young child kick the ballproperly and see it actually go into a net. It's important when teaching throw-insand spatial concepts to have lines where they can learn the "geometry" of the game. It builds on-going capability, confidence and the love for the sport. This may be astretch for this subject, but the child that learns the geometry of soccer or basketballwith proper coaching and facilities then excels in math and at school whereconfidence and socialization is concerned. As this community grows, not only do we have a current shortage of appropriatespace, but we have to think of our local businesses and job base. I often teachpeople in business to think globally while acting locally. The world is "point" and"click" and in this information age it's vital to have an infrastructure and plan inplace that attracts good people who will add value to our community after a simplegoogle search. Living in Southwest Montana is very much a "lifestyle" choice forsome. As a community, we have great values and an understanding andappreciation for health, wellness and lifestyle. Bozeman has running trails, bikingtrails and reserved space for certain outdoor activities that serve mostly the peoplewho live in those areas. What we struggle with is a true "center" for community. Aplace that serves a variety of functions to include outdoor sports like soccer,baseball, lacrosse or softball. I was shocked to learn that their were no indoor sportfacilities in Bozeman back in 2010 and gym space to practice outdoor sports duringthe winter is limited. I put on the free soccer clinics in-part to offer kids the time and opportunity to learnadvanced as well as simple skills like kicking the ball properly. I am here to tell youthat kids as old as 14 have not learned how to kick a ball in this region. With this, Ihad a third and fourth grade girls soccer team in California where for power - manycould out strike sixth to ninth graders in Gallatin County...and that includes boys. Now I am not making an attempt to embarrass anyone, but the fact is simple, theopportunity to play and perform in a true learning environment does not and has notreally existed in Bozeman as we lack the practice and game space. Thinking bighere, more practice, more play, more fun could equal more scholarships for localkids where not only do they benefit, but our local reputation develops! Finally, a business in Bozeman can't simply rely on the people of Bozeman tosurvive. In many cases, thinking just within a few miles of your store location ismarketing and business suicide. Likewise, if we don't become the center of theregion for sports, recreation, wellness, family and community, another regionalcommunity will step up. If one searches the nation for the communities that havethe incredible facilities it is clear that business thrives and entire communities andregions come together for the right reasons. Tournaments fill hotel rooms. Tournaments introduce people to our community and opportunities for futurevacations or investments. On a much larger front, the City of Tempe, Arizonasquabbled about funding the Arizona Cardinals stadium. The City of Glendalestepped up and has not only captured the Cardinals and NHL Coyotes, butconventions, Superbowls, National Championships and additional tax revenues fromnew businesses and real estate expansion. The City of Tempe struggled for yearsand still has boarded up store fronts from this huge loss. I do not suggest that iswhat would ever happen with such a topic as playing fields, but think about where we need to be in ten years as a community, and act right now to arrive there. Sincerely, Peter Dean Bouloukos406-451-2369 -- Peter Dean Bouloukos Rated as a "TOP 100 MENTOR" by "Business for Home" for 2011 and 2012in a greater industry of over 85 Million people worldwide. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors...Try to be better than yourself. All success and happiness in life depends on the quality and conviction of your thoughts! www.Facebook.com/GetHealthyTodaywww.Facebook.com/Top100Mentor Breach of confidentiality & accidental breach of confidentiality This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. 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