I was disappointed to read the recent article, “School board balks at spending on ballfields.” This decision by our school board is a disservice to our Park City High School student-athletes. My oldest son just graduated, and I have another who will be a junior. Between them they have been a part of five different sports programs at Park City High School.
So, like many parents, I’ve spent countless hours at our school’s athletic facilities — both inside and outside. And, again like other parents, I’ve also traveled all over Utah to watch Park City compete. It is with no exaggeration to say that with very few exceptions, the athletic facilities that I have visited at other schools are superior to Park City High School’s. And in more than a few cases they are vastly superior.
The difference is particularly jarring if you’ve ever been to a basketball game at Jordan, Olympus, Brighton, Skyline, or Green Canyon. Or to a lacrosse game at Corner Canyon or
track meet at Davis. In our own backyard, both Wasatch and Morgan put our gym to shame.
Neither of my kids play baseball, but it’s clear that that program, and softball, are in most need. Their grass diamonds are entirely inadequate for our mountain environment in the spring, and as a result those student-athletes are really negatively affected by having to travel away for a significant majority of their games.
Besides that, their ability to effectively practice is severely impacted. It is a credit to those
players and coaches that they’ve been able to creatively work around these challenges.
The quoted comment by one of the school board members to simply “scrap” baseball and softball was cruel. Perhaps instead we should provide them with the appropriate facilities and that might in turn prompt higher participation in those sports.
On a positive note, the new scoreboard at Dozier Field was a big win recently and is undoubtedly the most significant improvement to the school’s athletic infrastructure in years. But it would not have been possible except for the football parents who led that volunteer effort and to the generous private financial donors who made it possible. Their hard work has benefited all of the teams that compete on Dozier and is much appreciated.
It’s well past time that our school board steps to the plate and makes real investments to improve all athletic facilities. Notwithstanding the new scoreboard, the Dozier complex is in need of updating. The restrooms and concession stand are deteriorating. The press box is ancient. And the track surface is crumbling and is inadequate to host varsity meets. Inside, the locker rooms are a mess.
Our basketball gym looks like what you’d find in a junior high (assuming you’re looking somewhere outside of our school district). And because we lack turf fields that can be kept clear of snow, spring sports teams are often found inside practicing on the gym floors. This is neither ideal for these sports because lacrosse, baseball and softball don’t typically compete on hardwood, nor for the gym floors designed to typically handle basketballs and volleyballs. Then there’s the track athletes having to practice in the school’s hallways.
Ideally, when Treasure Mountain is retired, that property should be used to construct a fieldhouse similar to Basin as well as an outdoor turf field to support the needs of all of our sports teams. And why not also a tennis court or two while we’re at it so those teams can practice and compete on school grounds?
Perhaps it’s no surprise that every year we lose more and more of our top student-athletes who are transferring to other schools that are more committed to their athletic programs.
Of course, something like this will take time, money, resolve and careful planning. But you can’t tell me that other school districts have figured out ways to provide modern athletic facilities to their student-athletes and we can’t.
Please contact your school board member (pcschools.us/about/pcsd-school-board-of-education/school-board-members) and tell them it’s time to bring Park City High School up to par with other schools in our area.
And in the meantime, get the baseball and softball teams a diamond that they can play on next spring!
Josh Gordon
Pinebrook