The fields currently at Kimery Park are dangerously uneven and the equipment is old and broken. Due to the complete lack of lighting, games have to be strategically played during odd hours and cannot extend to night time hours. This causes many conflicts with field usage and very little time for events to be scheduled. This petition is to request the fields be updated to turf, and lights be installed. In addition, this petition is against moving soccer to Linden Park, as it is not a safe location due to the level of crime. Please help us and all of the soccer players in Hot Springs and surrounding areas by creating a safe and quality space to practice the sport!

Here is some information about soccer in Hot Springs:

The Hot Springs soccer league “Spa City Futbol” consists of over 200 members, which includes players, coaches, and referees/officials. The ages of participants vary from sixteen to fifty-five years old. It’s the largest league in the Garland County area. The men’s league recently began the season with ten teams. The women’s league is developing and having scrimmages every week. 

The league offers diversity and wholesome fun. Players represent many different cultures/ethnicities from around the world. The league is home to National Park Collegiate student athletes as well as athletes from: Lakeside High School, Lake Hamilton High School, Hot Springs High School, Cutter Morning Star High School, and Centerpoint High School. 

The league has also welcomed many non-Garland County players/spectators from Little Rock, Glenwood, Arkadelphia, Malvern, and Nashville, Arkansas. The fan base is extremely supportive with approximately 400 residents coming out to watch. This league is continuing to grow and flourish. 

It brings tourism dollars and hundreds of people into the city of Hot Springs. Instead of staying the night, most choose to drive back and forth for these games, due to all games ending so early. I am requesting the city look at placing lighting and turf for the soccer fields. This wholesome game keeps participants busy in productive activity which keeps them off of the streets. There is no downside to lighting the fields, as it’s a win-win for the participants and the city as a whole. The turf will also provide less maintenance for the city in the long run, and will prevent players from hurting themselves on an uneven field. 

(Alex Tobar)