New Castle Mayor Greg York wants New Castle to be known throughout the state and beyond as a place ready and able to host a variety of amateur athletic tournaments and events.
Wednesday, York updated members of the New Castle Redevelopment Commission on his plan to work with different local entities to improve athletic facilities available in the city.
“This project encompasses every age, every sport, from 5 year olds to 85 year olds as far as walking trails, baseball, football and soccer,” the mayor said. “I’ve voiced my concerns about New Castle being relaxed about having the largest Fieldhouse in the world and we’ve been complacent. At this time we have communities smaller than us that are drawing revenue that should be coming to New Castle.”
His idea includes adding four courts to the Fieldhouse and renovating that facility at a total cost of $7 million, adding four courts and a walking trail around the YMCA at a total cost of $3 million, adding three soccer fields at a cost of $500,000, adding three diamonds for Little League baseball at a cost of $500,000, adding two fields for Little League football at a cost of $500,000, adding two diamonds for Babe Ruth baseball at a cost of $500,000, and improvements to the girls softball facilities at a cost of $200,000.
The mayor said this $12 million plan doesn’t involve the use of taxpayer dollars.
“Each entity will raise their own money. Each project would be done with their own fundraising. We’re talking about private money, league revenue, money from hosting tournaments, grant money. This is not going to come out of the city’s budget. This is not going to come out of the general fund. This is going to be private money that we’re going to have to work to raise,” York said.
The mayor said New Castle’s lack of sports facilities is embarrassing and pointed out the girls softball organization recently hosted a 50 team tournament. Those 50 teams and the people who visited New Castle from throughout the Midwest all spent money while in town, he said, adding that the city should be hosting those kinds of events every weekend.
“If we don’t invest in youth to bring sports into New Castle, to bring business into New Castle, we’re going to be in big trouble. We’ve got to look to the future and help build our community, and this is a quality of life issue that we have to offer for our residents, for young couples who want to move to New Castle,” York said.
The mayor was not seeking approval or funding from the RDC. His presentation was for sharing information only, although the consensus of those board members present appeared to be in favor of moving forward with the plan.
York said he has appointed a committee to assist with implementing this project and pledged to provide updates as the effort progresses.
