School Committee town hall tackles youth sports facility access

SPRINGFIELD -- The Springfield School Committee held its first town hall meeting on Oct. 22, fielding a question from Darrell Cole, a coach with Wilshire Athletic Association, about how the city is managing a policy that lets local nonprofits use Springfield Public Schools facilities at no cost.

TOWN -- Mayor Domenic Sarno said the no-cost facilities policy has led to "a huge increase of use" of school gyms and fields, with school teams getting first priority before community groups. Sarno said he has spoken with the city's executive director of parks and facilities and the chief financial officer about adding portable lighting at Ruth Elizabeth Field to extend outdoor playing time, citing requests from football teams and other groups. School Committee member Ms. Hurst said the facilities-access policy was designed to remove cost as a barrier for nonprofits doing youth development work, while Vice Chair Naylor asked Cole and other coaches to submit recommendations on how to make facility access more equitable given the rising demand.

COMMUNITY -- Cole, who coaches with Wilshire Athletic Association, raised the facility-access issue on behalf of community youth sports organizations competing for limited gym and field time. School Committee member Mr. Gomez said the committee is "trying to give everyone the fair share" after years in which certain groups had regular access to the best facilities and times.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.