Effort to get Charles County to Install Turf Fields
Summary
Charles County is in need of multi-use synthetic turf fields in our county. Parks and Rec and other sports organizations can utilize this type of field to benefit the youth athletes in our county all year long.
Whether we replace existing fields at current locations or add them to new locations, the addition of synthetic turf fields will increase the field capacity and use that our growing county has a need for, in order to support a variety of local youth athletic clubs and sports.
Sign the Petition
The petition is on change.org
https://www.change.org/charles-county-turf
Update - 4/29/21
On Tuesday evening Harry Rothmann, the President and Co-Founder of Southern Maryland Athletic Alliance, spoke directly to the Charles County Commissioners to support the proposed budget to build two synthetic turf fields in the county.
He spoke not just on behalf of himself and our organization, but on behalf of the dozens of Charles County youth sports organizations that we have been in touch with that agree with this proposed expense. These organizations represent thousands of families in our county, who have expressed a desire for these improvements to our county infrastructure.
Here is his 3 minute testimonial. We are sharing this because we must continue to fight for these fields. The commisioners must know that you agree. Reach out to them and let them know.
This budget proposal is open for public comments until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 3.
Comments can be submitted by using the e-comment feature at charlescountymd.gov/FY2022BudgetHearing or by calling 301-645-0652 to leave a message. Citizens may also submit written comments to: Commissioners of Charles County, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, MD 20646.
Articles from Southern Maryland News
Southern Maryland News on April 29, 2021
Harry Rothmann said he supports the inclusion of two synthetic turf athletic fields, which are in the proposed budget.
Rothmann, who said he has four children, said synthetic turf is more than three times less expensive per use than a regular field.
"Charles County has one turf field," he said, noting it is behind Prince George's, Anne Arundel and St. Mary's counties in that regard.
"Our youth are at an extreme disadvantage," said Quentin Metzgar, noting that he is a coach and parent of four youth.
Southern Maryland News on March 12, 2021
Throughout much of the fall and winter, with many of the indoor facilities not available and the outdoor fields often too soft or wet for play, teams from Charles County have made the trip to various parks in St. Mary’s County to play games on their new turf fields.
Of course, the constant commutes prompted Harry Rothmann, president of the Southern Maryland Athletic Alliance, to begin gathering signatures for a petition to take to Charles lawmakers to emphasize the urgency of the situation. As of Tuesday, March 2, the petition had accumulated a sum of 1,519 signatures, far more than what Rothmann anticipated when the campaign began……