Lee White, director of the Chester Presbyterian basketball league, which has more than 400 participants in Chester and Enon, has reached a crossroads. He has been volunteering as the organizer for the league for a number of years. The league charges only $10 for jersey rental; the rest is free. White says he has a number of disadvantaged kids that can’t afford any more.

During Chesterfield’s budget process this year, it was decided that participants in association sports leagues, both youth and adult, would have to pay a $5 fee to the county to help offset costs to maintain facilities and fields. Although some say it’s only five bucks, White doesn’t want to charge his players the fee because, “if it’s $5 this year, it will be $10 next year.” While White is willing to be the lone protester, sacrificing the league on principle, he has a growing number of allies in his quest to overturn the $5 fee approved by the Board of Supervisors back in April.

According to White, the $5 fee issue didn’t have the sting it does now until he saw that the Board of Supervisors had decided to contribute over $4 million to SportsQuest, a sports and entertainment center under construction near the terminus of Powhite Parkway. That’s where White picks up some help. At last week’s Park and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) meeting, soccer league representatives voiced frustration with SportQuest and suggested that players may be courted away from current leagues to new SportQuest teams.

Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club President Rob Ukrop is concerned with current user fees at soccer fields. He addressed the PRAC committee, reiterating comments he made to Richmond BizSense.com on the fees.

“We currently pay Chesterfield County a user fee, and with a new lease, we think that should give us access to the turf fields without paying another fee,” he said.
Ukrop also said, according to BizSense, that he would like to make sure the existing soccer clubs can schedule the tournaments they need. “We want the county to step in and protect the existing clubs that have had economic impact for years.”

Mike Coleman has taken lemons and made lemonade by starting a new co-sponsored organization called Chesterfield Adult Sports. Coleman has worked with the Chesterfield leagues for more than 25 years and is a newly retired Chesterfield County physical education teacher.

Starting in late September, Chesterfield Adult Sports will offer adult volleyball and basketball at various school locations throughout the week.

The $5 fee was part of the county’s budget for fiscal 2011, which began on July 1, and the fee was used as a way to keep some of the parks and recreation department’s facilities open. The initial draft of the budget would have closed a number of facilities, including historical sites, adult softball leagues and some senior programs.

According to budget documents, the $5 youth sports fee was part of a number of increases, including a 15 percent increase in recreation program and camp fees. The fee is expected to generate $150,000 for the parks and recreation budget, according to budget documents.

White is working to protect his kids and his league, and his frustration is understandable. But, it is hoped that his disappointment and that of other league leaders in the county will not lead to disappointed youths who won’t get an opportunity to play.