How about a sports complex?

The following is a guest blog written by Eric W.

I am writing to bring forward an idea and gather info on a project that could benefit the city and its residents.  Even though I do not live in Berlin anymore, being born and raised in this city I have a great appreciation and a great interest in its future.  I truly believe there is so much un-tapped potential to make Berlin and Coos County a great destination again.

Something that was lacking growing up was a sports facility where kids & adults could go to exercise, compete and socialize.  How great would it be to have a multi-sport complex in Berlin?  Here would be its Mission:

“The North Country Sports Complex would be a multisport and fitness complex designed to be used by the residents of Berlin and the surrounding areas. Its mission would be to provide the best programs, staff, and equipment, to fully meet the various sports and fitness needs of our members. Besides providing an excellent value to our customers, The Supreme Courts is determined to create an unmatched sporting atmosphere that will add to the enjoyment of every member and employee of the facility. Dedicated to the community, The North Country Sports Complex strives to support and sponsor community events, as well as host them whenever possible. Our hope is that through the use of our facility, members' enjoyment and appreciation for sports, fitness, and for life will be enhanced.”

The facility would consist of two basketball courts, state of the art fitness center, turf field, gymnastics, pool and lounge/restaurant.  The basketball courts could host various local tournaments as well as men’s leagues throughout the year.  The turf field could host tournaments for soccer & field hockey.  The fitness center would consist of free weights, machines, treadmills and plasma TVs.  A massage center would be included along with an aerobics room.  Programs would be fitted for all ages.  Since there is currently no public pool this could be an option for residents.  The restaurant/lounge would be the place to hang and socialize while enjoying the facility.

These are just a few of the things that a project like this could bring.  I am looking for any input regarding this matter.  If there is enough interest I would like to put together some investors who like the idea and see if we can make this happen.  If interested please feel free to email me at ewyche@gmail.com      

Erik Wyche

Thanks to Eric W. for contributing to Coos Conversations!

Comments

[Allen Walters]

Go Rocky. Sometimes the worst thing we can do is dream small, I remember hearing a councilman saying "lets not dream about pie in the sky ideas" and yes we got 100 more years of the same (but his attendance record is now above 50%). Yes more people, with diverse thoughts and ideears need to be braught into what is now a very closed minded, self interested circle. You cannot volunteer, it does not work that way, you get accepted, invited, heard and acknowledged or in this case, you do not. Where can you be heard? For the moment right here, tommorow, maybe not at all.

Allen Walters.

P.S. As director of the Northern Appalachian Indigent Support Group, I am offering to host the first ever, Northern Appalachian Indigent supper. Being indigently challenged myself, I am organizing our first meeting and supper to discuss the insensitive and distasteful remarks of the mayor and council. All members of the community wishing to attend and meet the indigent next door are invited to attend. Remember you too were an indigent before you moved to church street and hating and judging people based on their economic status makes baby Jesus cry. It takes a village to raise a child and if we are visited by the nations poor then it is the nations and gods will that we welcome them and care for them, not blame them for our petty problems, their children come to us perfect and are a blessing on our village. Berlin is not a ghetto because some folks moved here from Manchester, Berlin is Appalachian Ghetto Old School and needs to change one stubborn bugga, one hooligan, one crooked this and that, etc at a time. What will your soldier come home to, what are they fighting for, 100 more years of the same?

[Nathan M.]

I think what Eric has offered is worth exploring and I am willing to help in whatever way I can.

A sports complex ON the mill site would be my preference. I think creating something recreational in the center of the community would be more beneficial than maintaining smoke stacks and wood piles. Couldn't a biomass plant be built in the industrial park?

A sports complex would be a huge hit with the local youth and I do believe they need to be included in any future planning.

Hats off to Eric for bringing this forward!

[rocky]

I agree with Pam's post, we the citizens need to become involved, otherwise....well you know the outcome. It's also true that mayor & council devote hours as does those on planning boards etc, but doing what? I believe that in most instances the time is spent reacting to issues not planning for the future. When was the last time you read of a bold "new" plan that had the possibility of turning things around? When was the last time mayor & council considered "investing" in Berlin? Of all the meetings that have taken place since the mill closed looking at diversifying the economy or taking steps to improve our chances of creating a regional approach to solving problems, I haven't read where mayor & council have participated or have commented that they needed to go in those directions. Too many of our politicians are living in the past and keeping the boiler and chimney is a ghost of the past where they can again, sqeeze taxes from that past. I wish I could be as optimistic as Pam, but I don't see much hope for positive change unless people get away from their TV's and scream for change.

[Pam Laflamme]

I am glad that people have the ability to get their thoughts and opinions out there to encourage thoughtful and meaningful dialogue - that being said, I personally have such a hard time reading comments people pass off as fact (and or rumor in most cases) without really taking the time to talk with those who may actually have facts in hand.

I think the idea of a community center is a great one. If it did not go on the mill site - does that mean it couldn't or shouldn't go somewhere else? I think that idea is good for Berlin, not just one property in particular. I do think that this is something that needs further research and a dedicated group of people to take it further along.

Mayor Danderson and the City Council are all people who take time out of their schedules every week to meet and discuss issues that are important to the City. They all work very hard for very little compensation and hardly ever any gratitude. I attend more than my share of Council meetings where very many issues are discussed and decided - there are very rarely any citizens in attendance. The only way to get your voice heard is to use it. The computer is a great way to get ideas out there, but it doesn't replace showing up for public hearings or attending meetings to speak up about the issues that matter.

I think there is a lot of merit to the numerous threads going on here and on other blogs, but sometimes people need to check their facts. Just because it works elsewhere, doesn't mean it will here or vice-versa. I would encourage those of you who are truly interested in the future of Berlin to join a committee or volunteer for a board - the Planning Board could use more members with fresh perspectives. You can't just talk about it; you have to do it!

Anyone who has any questions, please feel free call me at 752-8587.

[Rocky]

I like the ideas that Eric and Laura have come up with, but really guys, do you believe for one minute that mayor & council would even give a second thought to your ideas? Keep in mind that the mill site is private property and the dismantling company that owns it wants to get as much for what's there as they can. I heard that the energy company may have offered around $3 million for the boiler and stack. Now who do you know that will come up with $3M to purchase the site then what? Another $5M or more to build a community center! The second way to do something better than a power plant would be to go political, convince mayor & council that we don't want the power plant. As I said before, FAT chance! Mayor and council are facing a fiscal crisis and unless we can come up with a development that will pay close to what the power plant will pay in taxes, it's DOA! Now a Community Center and Hotel Complex with Condos,....maybe, but who is working towards that option? Do yo think we could even get mayor & councl to hire somebody to do a "best use" study? I'll leave that answer to the readers of this blog. Guys it's all about $$$$ for the short term and to hell with the long term potential.

[Laura]

My dream community center would be a building with multi-purpose rooms for activities, classes, adult leagues, swimming pool, fitness center, teen center, game room, babysitting, stage/dance floor, computers, special interest, youth and adult creative arts, after-school programs, music, science labs, cooking, summer day camps, adequate parking, a kitchen and various offices to create social and cultural nirvana, all in a low carbon footprint.

Ha, ha. But REALLY!! All good communities have community centers! I have contacted YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs but, it seems to me that we could create what this town needs on our own!? Marry the Parks and Recreation Departments to a Community Center and use the ball feilds we already have... I agree with Erik's vision of indoor and outdoor recreation. We should get together and chat this idea up! WE can make this happen and now is the time.
-any thoughts?