Save Our Sports Colorado Springs Colorado

Target:

City Council Members

Sponsored by:

The City of Colorado Springs is looking at eliminating ALL park and rec adult and youth sports. We want our voices to be heard! We believe that we are self-sustaining. Some facts you should know -
Unlike other "departments" that are having to make cuts. Park and Rec is SELF SUSTAINING!! WE PAY the sports we & our children play. Currently there are 12 dodgeball teams, 23 bball teams, and 86 volley teams (adult) we play for 10 weeks and for that 10 weeks we pay the City Park and Rec department $34,775.00! This does not count the official fees that are also paid. The majority of games are played at City Auditorium and at Panorama Middle school which are City owned. There are several games that are played at Eagleview gym and it costs the City Park & Rec 75.00 a night. The site supervisors are only paid $8 an hour and are generally there 2-3 hours. SO you tell me where does all that 35,000.00 go to? Mind you that is only for a 10 week session. This is not counting Spring, summer or fall seasons, and this is not counting Softball which doesn't start until the end of February. If the city paid for youth and adults to play that would be one thing but we are VERY self sustaining! THey have other options besides getting rid of all the programs. Since these sports are very self-sustaining, if they needed to cut back they could offer sports on less nights, they could offer sports at less places. They could raise the fees (as they have done every year for the past three years). Each team pays a minimum of $260.00 a season to play. Also, if they get rid of these sports you then have site supervisors out of a job, you then have referees out of a job. how does that help the economy to have more unemployed individual who will then guess what go to the city for yup that's right unemployment financial help. If kids have no sports to play then guess what they will be out there causing trouble and when they cause trouble what happens? Yup that's right then you have higher crime, the need for more police officers, which then costs more money. Hmm doesn't seem to cut too much money after you have the increased crime rates....So this isn't just a bunch of people "crying" about losing sports that the city "gives" them. Since the city doesn't GIVE it to them, WE PAY FOR THEM!!!! So there are plenty of options and ideas for them to look at to help with the budget cuts so that everyone is helped in some way and no one loses out completely, we would like them to meet us half way instead of an all or nothing. Even the vice-mayor said that they have ALREADY cut 3 MILLION dollars for the park and rec department and if they do this cut again it would be lower than it has been in TEN YEARS!!! THey could also cut back by not giving out the shirts they give out to each team that places 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. No one cares about the shirts, most teams buy their own team shirts....so there ARE other options and suggestions!!!

We the undersigned would like you to reconsider eliminating the Colorado Springs Park and Recreation programs. We would appreciate you meeting us in the middle and together coming up with ideas so everyone becomes a winner. We believe there are other options to saving money, while still providing park and rec services such as adult and youth sports. We believe some of those options include but are not limited to increasing the fees we pay, offering the sports at less places, offering the sports on less nights, eliminating the shirts that are handed out to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, to name a few ideas. Please take the time to consider some of these items so that we can work together.

signature
goal: 5,000

59
signatures!

50 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!

learn more »

Already a Care2 member? log in. Or,

connect with Facebook

We signed the "Save Our Sports Colorado Springs Colorado" petition!

# 59:

1:10 pm PDT, Jul 14, Melissa Benlolo, Colorado
Please, please, please do not close park and rec; this would be a bad move. With the economy getting as bad as it is our kids need something to keep them busy and out of trouble. My kids love to play sports. I feel it is extremely important that they be given this opportunity. It builds confidence, self esteem and allows them to learn to be part of a team. These skills are an extremely important part of their development. The coaches are all volunteers and each player is responsible for purchasing their own jerseys, pictures, trophies and party fees. Our teams offer fundraisers to help out with the costs. I have no problem if fees need to be increased; what my children get out of your program is priceless.

# 58:

12:28 pm PDT, Jun 24, David Ross, Colorado

# 57:

9:27 pm PDT, May 18, Phil Hotaling, Colorado

# 56:

11:31 am PDT, May 18, Dawn Hotaling, Colorado

# 55:

5:41 pm PDT, May 17, Ken Merritt, Colorado
Folks, wake up! Why do you want to kill the positive things in the community? Is it because YOU aren't doing much to help and you feel slighted? Get serious. Kids NEED fun and positive activities like these.

# 54:

4:17 pm PDT, May 17, Debora Creadeur, Colorado
I think it is very important to keep a positive extracurricular activity available to the community. The sports keep citizens from doing other destructive or criminal activities with their time.

# 53:

6:31 pm PDT, May 16, Rebecca Dotson, Colorado

# 52:

11:41 pm PDT, May 15, Matthew Cole, Colorado

# 51:

4:49 pm PDT, May 15, Joshua Creadeur, Colorado

# 50:

2:36 pm PDT, May 15, Bryan Fyler, Colorado
Colorado Springs parks and recreation is a crucial part of our community and teaching our youth productive ways to spend their time. It sets a good example for kids when adults meet as groups to play team sports. The fields are also used for youth activites, which are important to keep them out of mischief. Umpires are paid by teams, teams also pay a lot of money to the city every year. I'm sure people would even volunteer to help maintain the fields/grass if need be to keep up the adult programs alive and well. With out these activites, the springs should see an increase in crime and vandalism to the facilities. Please keep these programs alive!!!! Bryan Fyler

# 49:

8:15 am PDT, Apr 14, Name not displayed, Colorado
i have not got to play yet but i really would like to

# 48:

8:03 pm PDT, Mar 13, Allie Rispin, Colorado

# 47:

8:43 am PST, Feb 13, Dave Brenner, New York
I SUPPORT THIS PETITION

# 46:

1:38 pm PST, Feb 6, Tyler Purvine, Colorado
The city auditorium must stay, its one of the last great historic venues we have!

# 45:

7:41 pm PST, Feb 3, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 44:

7:23 pm PST, Feb 3, David Everett, Colorado

# 43:

3:04 pm PST, Feb 3, Jon Hergenrader, Colorado

# 42:

7:25 am PST, Feb 3, Jennifer Maag, Colorado
It's personally very important to me to be able to particpate in parks and rec sports. I also think it's very important to the community, both for physical and mental health reasons.

# 41:

7:10 am PST, Feb 3, Name not displayed, Colorado
Last year was the first time I played with park and rec and it was a great experience. I hope the program is still around this year so I can play again.

# 40:

6:38 am PST, Feb 3, Rana Brown, Colorado
I've never heard of a city cutting their park and rec programs. I'm in complete shock, this is an outlet for adults and kids. I'm a firm believer that after school activities and sports keep children out of trouble. It's puzzling to me why the city plans to cut the program when we are the ones paying for it? We need to get the word out so we can save our park and rec programs.

# 39:

6:35 am PST, Feb 3, Alex Valdez, Colorado

# 38:

5:35 am PST, Feb 3, Matthew Steele, Colorado

# 37:

7:12 pm PST, Feb 2, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 36:

6:52 pm PST, Feb 2, Stacy Vogel, Colorado

# 35:

6:01 pm PST, Feb 2, Cynthia Pagan, Colorado
This is absurd. Programs of this nature help children stay off the streets and out of trouble. Everything that can be done needs to be done to save these athletic programs.

# 34:

4:26 pm PST, Feb 2, Jenn Chandler, Colorado

# 33:

10:52 am PST, Feb 2, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 32:

10:52 am PST, Feb 2, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 31:

7:54 pm PST, Jan 30, Heidi Annis, Colorado
It seems that other cuts could be made, instead of cutting the athletic programs. There are many children that won't be able to ever have the experience of participating in sports programs without the rec department. Kids that are playing sports are more apt to stay out of trouble.

# 30:

2:22 pm PST, Jan 30, Ari R. Kolman, Canada
What�s wrong with the Government here, this is Another Disgusting Example of their ties to Big Business Corruption and Crimes against Humanity!!�. Ridiculous Pork barrel Policy Twisting Fanatics!! We Will All Distribute This Page to Big Media and Start Letting those �Useless Talking Heads on TV News� know what�s really worth reporting to the world�

# 29:

1:23 pm PST, Jan 29, Shannon Steuber, Colorado
This city does not have enough recreational venues in the commercial sector to sustain the loss of the City's recreational venues. I have played softball and dodgeball through the City and my son has played soccer. My son also had his rehearsal for the Nutcracker in the City Auditorium. I have been to the City Auditiorium for City related functions (former City employee) and a concert. Please do not take these resources away from me, my son, and the other citizens of Colorado Springs!

# 28:

1:10 pm PST, Jan 29, Brian D. Reed, Colorado
Doing away with sports programs of any sort is always a bad idea. Be it children's, teen's or adult sports programs every program has benefits that cannot be measured. Concepts such as teamwork are taught even into the adult years. This concept can then be used to strengthen relationships at work, church, etc. Doing away with rec centers or sports programs is just cutting off an outlet that people rely on for various reasons. Social, exercise programs, etc. There are other means to an end for financial crisis. Do not shoot yourself in the foot by thinking that shutting these types of facilities or programs. You will only cause bigger problems in the after-effects.

# 27:

7:56 am PST, Jan 29, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 26:

11:15 am PST, Jan 27, Patricia Burns, Colorado
Please consider the consequences of no sports activities in this town except with membership to a private club. This is not how Colorado Springs should be resolving budget issues. Because this is what will tear down the fabric and generate deterioration of our great landscape we call home...COS.

# 25:

8:11 am PST, Jan 27, Gregory Huller, Colorado

# 24:

6:23 am PST, Jan 27, Benjamin Heintz, Colorado

# 23:

9:47 pm PST, Jan 26, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 22:

9:36 pm PST, Jan 26, Randi Hitchcock, Colorado
As a Physical Education teacher and participant of many adult league sports, I can not see ANY benefit to these cuts! Obesity is a HUGE problem in America and this is not helping. Nor is it helping Colorado Springs to continue to be "one of the most fit cities in the nation"!!!!!

# 21:

6:01 pm PST, Jan 26, Name not displayed, Colorado
Come on city council, cutting everything is pretty drastic and overkill. Find a way to save the sports programs.

# 20:

12:04 pm PST, Jan 26, Lori Schibli, Colorado
We all understand that these are hard economic times but completely cutting our means of networking, socializing and exercising is an extreme measure. Make smaller cuts over time and encourage El Paso County residents to vote for a sales tax increase next time around (which would help pay for services such as parks and recreation).

# 19:

10:23 am PST, Jan 26, Name not displayed, Colorado
If it is a budget issue then raise the fees. Simply cutting the services is a shortsighted solution.

# 18:

9:43 am PST, Jan 26, Name not displayed, Colorado
Come on Colorado Springs! Think outside the traditional funding box.

# 17:

6:36 am PST, Jan 26, Name not displayed, Colorado

# 16:

8:36 pm PST, Jan 25, Elen Gorrell, Colorado
My boys have played baseball and/or Little Quarterbacks every summer since 2000 and was planning on it this summer! Don't take it away!

# 15:

6:37 pm PST, Jan 25, Kris Lane, Colorado

# 14:

4:41 pm PST, Jan 25, Name not displayed, Colorado
I hope you take a second look at this issue. The sports activities have a significant positive impact on the community.

# 13:

3:10 pm PST, Jan 25, Steve Dale, Australia

# 12:

11:49 am PST, Jan 25, Name not displayed, Colorado
There is absolutely no reason for the sports department or community centers to be relinquished or given up on. A closer look at over staffing in various locations, and , additional funding through grants and local sponsors needs to be looked at closer. The continuance of community Parks and Recreational services is detrimental to the healthy growth of Colorado Springs. The closing of such programs will increase the negatives which already exist at lower rate i.e.: juvenile offenders, loss of assistance to homeless and struggling families, senior meals, and all inclusive programs maintaining a productive city, which is already economically in turmoil. Do not take what little is left for our children, adults, and senior citizens! Solution? Here's an example! http://www.teammatesforkids.com/grantQualify07.html

# 11:

9:08 am PST, Jan 25, Name not displayed, New York

# 10:

2:04 am PST, Jan 25, Steve Klein, Canada

# 9:

12:32 am PST, Jan 25, Brian Krewson, Colorado

# 8:

12:20 am PST, Jan 25, Toni Sokoloski, Massachusetts

# 7:

10:05 pm PST, Jan 24, Jamie Krewson, Colorado

# 6:

8:56 pm PST, Jan 24, B Lounello Jr, Colorado
S>O>S

# 5:

8:19 pm PST, Jan 24, Kristen Kestner, Colorado

# 4:

8:18 pm PST, Jan 24, Heather Husby, Colorado

# 3:

6:31 pm PST, Jan 24, Dawn Kalkwarf, Colorado
The men at my church form nearly four teams for softball every summer. All of my children have enjoyed playing through the Park and Rec Sports; t-ball, soccer, football etc.

# 2:

5:45 pm PST, Jan 24, Teresa Brown, Colorado

# 1:

5:03 pm PST, Jan 24, Colleen Noyes, Colorado

View Signatures:
|<
<
59
>
>|