Soccer Group Says No To Taking Over Control

The Dryden Ball Diamonds Committee and Dryden Youth Soccer are being asked to assume control of the ball diamonds and soccer pitches.
City Manager Joe van Koeverden says the move will result in $50,000 to $100,000 in savings.
However, Youth Soccer Executive member Gary Nickle says they would be crazy to take over maintaining the facilities.
He notes that would result in costs going up for the organization by $12,000.
Nickle adds the chances are slim that a volunteer would maintain the fields and notes it would likely result in contracting out the service.
Nickle says the City should also be talking to the Ball Diamonds Committee about the proposal.
He points out that the soccer group has had a written agreement with the City that municipal staff maintain the fields.
Nickle says that dates back to 2006.
The costs to maintain the soccer complex is roughly $15,000 and the cost for the ball diamonds is around $75,000.
Nickle says user groups can afford to pay more to use the facilities.
Councilor Mary Trist says the reality is adults should be paying more to use Rec. facilities noting it off-sets the costs for youth.
She is suggesting setting up an advisory committee to look at recreation as a whole in the community.