While everyone can agree that we love sports and wish there were more in the youth sector, citizens can sometimes feel the opposite.
It is very important for new facilities to break ground in order to increase not only the availability of events but the number of them as well. However, some of the larger facilities have recently been causing problems for the residents of these towns. After all, they are the ones who live there 24/7—not just one weekend out of the year.
In the past few weeks, I have noticed more headlines mentioning fed-up citizens. While this is not the case 99 percent of the time, it is important to understand why the one percent feel so strongly about this. Especially since we know that these facilities pour money back into the towns and increase economic revenue up to 300 percent from each tournament.
I recently chatted with citizens in a town—that I will not mention in this article—that are concerned with a new complex coming to their area.
“No one told us about the complex and just how large it would be. This is a small town, and our infrastructure can accommodate large numbers of tourism now.”
The group—representing a much larger group of citizens—also mentioned the noise levels being of concern since so many houses are in the area they want to build the complex in since the complex backs right up to a neighborhood.
The group also mentions several other viewpoints such as: not being told the name before it was given to the press, not being given any information regarding the complex in general, developers not taking their concerns into consideration, and more.
While this is not the case for all towns wishing to build a complex or preparing to develop plans, citizen input is crucial and needs to be taken into consideration. Take it from me, I live in a very touristy area and feel “less than” when town officials make changes based on people who visit here once per year rather than the citizens who call this place home.
I get upset when I must pay a toll to get to work each day. I get upset when summer traffic is so thick accidents increase because or stoplight cameras do not catch speeding. With that being said, I get excited when a place offers a local’s discount. I get excited when I get to go to the beach every single off-day and pay $0 to park. I love that we have our own lot to park in. I love that the activities in the town ramp up every September.
With everything being said, I love when the town I call home takes care of me. In some cases, like the one mentioned above, I can see the frustration. I can see why they are worried the quiet town they call home will soon be filled with traffic, noise, and infrastructure that cannot handle an influx.
Developers, if you are reading this, please take care of the citizens. See if there is a need for a complex. See if there is something that can be done to at least compromise with the residents. Also, please remember that this is not the case 100 percent of the time. However, in the case where 99 percent of citizens are unhappy in the one percent of developments that are seen as unwelcome, something must be done.
