HomeMy WebLinkAboutSports complex Public Comment from Kurt Palmquist 3-7-14From:Kurt Palmquist
To:Jeff Graff; Agenda
Subject:Bozeman Sports Park
Date:Thursday, March 06, 2014 9:03:15 PM
Dear TOP Committee and Bozeman City Commission:
I have been a part of the Bozeman community for more than 20 years as business owner, parent and as someone who has seen the benefits of youth sports in my own children. We have an excellent opportunity to improve our parks and trails system with the recently passed parks and trails bond. It goes without saying now days that Bozeman is one the best places in country to live and I hope that you consider funding a sports park that reflects that quality!
We are significantly behind other communities in our region with regard to fields that support the growing number of players in soccer and lacrosse. Bronken fields was developed 15 years ago to service 300 players...we now have more than 10x that in various programs. As Bozeman continues to grow so will the need for field space for these 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. My family spends hundreds if not thousands of dollars annually in Billings, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula at league games, tournaments and training all year round. The Bozeman business community would be amazed at the financial benefit they would experience as the result of an addition of outdoor and indoor soccer/lacrosse facilities that would allow these activities and events to be held in Bozeman as opposed to everywhere else in the state. A sports park would also be of great benefit as we look to recruit more businesses and the employees for those businesses.
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,
Kurt Palmquist