Community News
Finances, fall sports discussed at rec. board meeting.
By Dave Whitaker
Aug 3, 2020, 22:18

Finances and fall sports were two of the main topics discussed at Monday night’s monthly rec. board meeting. But there was also a time for special recognition.

Members of the 8u state champion softball team were recognized. Director Andy Brand said the girls played well all season and also said they handled the unusual circumstances involving COVID-19 well. He also praised the coaches for their hard work.

Getting back to financials, there was discussion of ideas to bring in revenue. One suggested last month was a fall church softball tournament. Brand noted one church had replied. Board member Rich Hulsey believed that people were focused on the start of school and interest would pick up. Brand said he would send out the reminder to churches again. Hulsey also noted that church volleyball leagues hosted in the past had been successful.

Another place where board members hoped to get revenue was from the purchase of scoreboards. An individual or business can purchase a scoreboard with their name on it that will be used for games. You can call (478)934-3235 for more information.

Hulsey said he’d had difficulty contacting the church softball committee chair regarding the promised money for those who kept score at last year’s league tournament. Chair Carmen Pierce said she would help.

Looking at future finances, board member Chan Jones expressed concern about the department’s ability to make ends meet through the end of the year. Despite the $40,000 (total quarterly funding that CBRD will receive from the city and county) the outstanding bills, plus the cost of basketball (which has been described as losing revenue sport) were causes for concern.

Not being able to host tournaments plus some planned travel tournaments not making also added to the strain. Turning to basketball, Brand said he was concerned because it was the one sport where social distancing was impossible. Plus, the small size of the gym would also make social distancing difficult.

Basketball registration would begin in October. Board members believed the best course of action was to wait until then to make any decisions about the sport. No one wanted to cancel, especially if other sports were being offered. They believed observing how middle school sports, football games, handled their crowds would be a key indicator.

When asked about ongoing registration for fall soccer and football, Brand said signups were going well. Both had numbers in the 30’s. There was discussion about who would officiate games as the association who provided them last year couldn’t guarantee it again as they were trying to limit travel. It was agreed that local people who’d officiated in the past could do so again if needed.

Also regarding football, Brand said he would be attending a district meeting Wednesday in Effingham County. He said more would be known about any plans for all stars after the meeting. Brand said he planned to limit travel for football. He said depending upon numbers, the 11-12 group might go to Dublin (where former assistant director Jordy Gray works) if need be.

Brand also said the schedule allowed flexibility to delay the start of the season if needed as well as extend it into November should there not be any all star competition. The meeting ended with discussion of what might happen with high school football and schools in general.


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