Clarksville, TN – A local soccer club is at odds with city leaders over use of a practice field.
The Clarksville Soccer Club (CSC) has 350 players ranging in age. The club is requesting to be able to use the soccer fields at the Heritage Park Sports Complex which is maintained by the city of Clarksville.
“The majority of parents and players are city taxpayers,” said John Rudoph, Treasurer of the Clarksville Soccer Club. “It’s their tax dollars that maintain it, so we think it’s wrong it sits empty.”
Rudolph added the Heritage Park fields are more centrally located and would allow the club to consolidate their practices at one location. The club currently plays games at the location, but does not practice there.
The CSC made the request to the city, but was denied.
In a statement, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan said private teams have never been allowed to practice on the game fields because of concerns about wear and tear on the fields. She added, “In order for the Heritage Park soccer fields to be maintained in the condition needed for game, league and tournament play, specialized turf management is necessary. That simply will not be possible if we open the game, league and tournament fields for practice by all of the soccer teams and other sports teams, i.e. lacrosse and rugby, that might then wish to access those same fields for their practices.”
Members of CSC say the decision doesn’t make sense and has added inconvenience to their players and parents.
“We’re really frustrated,” said Bryan Drotar, Director of Coaching at CSC. “We thought when we approached the city this would be an easy request.”
The CSC currently practices at the Clarksville Sports Complex which is located in a former soybean field about one mile from the Kentucky border and about 30 minutes from downtown Clarksville. The team leases the field from the owner.
“It becomes confusing when we have people coming from Franklin, Brentwood and Murfreesboro to play us,” said Rudolph. “They see the Kentucky state line and say, ‘ we can’t be going to the Clarksville Soccer Club.’”
Despite making pleas to city leaders, no agreement has been reached. Members of the CSC are still hopeful something will work out.
The City Council’s Parks and Rec committee is scheduled to meet Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Members of the CSC are planning to attend.
