Commissioners Disappointed in Consultant’s Report on Sports Fields Use

by David Volz October 28, 2025

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Sabal Pines Park Fields. {city of Coconut Creek}

More effective efforts are needed to encourage Coconut Creek residents to use sports fields and recreation programs.

During commission comments at the October 23 meeting, members of the commission were disappointed with the research a consultant did showing how sports fields could be used more effectively. Concerns had been raised that too many adults from outside the city were using the city’s fields, and that some families were leaving the city’s youth sports programs.

Commissioner John Brodie was upset about the consultant’s emphasis on making money on fields by encouraging outside teams and groups to play on them. “I kept hearing revenue, revenue, and revenue by bringing in outside groups. The consultant missed the mark. I don’t care about how the city can make money on the fields. I want the fields to be for our residents,” said Brodie.

Commissioner Joshua Rydell agreed that the consultant’s work was a disappointment. He said there was too much emphasis on outdoor field use and nothing on indoor use. He believed the research was flawed because participants in youth sports were counted multiple times if they played several sports during the year.

Commissioner Sandra Welch said that items she wanted to see addressed were not included in the consultant’s report.

The commission may hold a workshop to address future sports field use.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.