During the past three or four football seasons, we have dealt with an over-used football field that produces weeds and a barren dirt center way too early in our season. By the time the playoffs start, we are playing on a dirt track with whatever remaining grass we have left on the sidelines. It is safe to say that we had a field that didn’t measure up to any of our conference rivals.
Last fall, this summer, and early this spring, Mike Groth worked hard to get our field back in shape. With the help of Mike Davies at the Superior National Golf Course in Lutsen, Groth got fertilizer and new seed on the football field. Davies also shared his expertise and it paid big dividends for our field.
Arleigh Jorgenson was then hired in a half-time position to work on the grounds at the school. Jorgenson worked his tail off and worked many more hours than he ever got paid for. Why? Theanswer is quite simple: because he loves kids. Groth and Jorgenson then made sure the field got plenty of water and Lyle Anderson Field looked splendid for our home opener against Chisholm. It reminded me of the kind of field I had when I was growing up in Cook County.
Just when I thought we were turning the corner and getting the field back to where it should be, the school and football program were dealt a blow: water would no longer be given to the school by the city of Grand Marais.
For years and years the City of Grand Marais and the Public Utilities Commission had always given the school the water to tend to its athletic fields. Thisgoes back a long, long time. I am not certain why it started that way, but it was a great way for the city to show its support of the kids in our community.
Out of the blue, our school was sent a $1200 water bill. There is no water budget in the athletic or maintenance budget, so Mike Groth was forced to tell us that he could no longer water the fields. I’m sure it hurt him as much to say it as it hurt me to hear it. Afterall, his son is a senior on our football team this year.
I am not certain why this became an issue to the Public Utilities Commission now, but I really hope they will reconsider their decision. Our field now looks worse than ever. It is burnt yellow and we are starting to lose the new grass that we were growing. It is not too late, however. Adding water now could revive a steadily dying field.
Arleigh Jorgenson wrote a letter to each member of the Public Utilities Commission asking them to reconsider the ruling. Not one member has taken the time to respond. The only person to respond to Jorgenson’s letter is our mayor, Sue Hakes, who has always supported Cook County athletics.
I am not sure why this issue is taking place right now. Is there some disgruntled person at the heart of it? Is this another example of “small town” politics? I am not sure and I really hope it isn’t because it all comes back to affecting the youth of our community. I am just disappointed that the 100 student-athletes in our school in grades 4 – 12 can’t at least enjoy playing football on green grass.
As parents we all want our kids to have the great experiences that “we once had.” I want my boys to play on the kind of field I had when I was a boy. More importantly, I want the young men who play football for me to have that experience now.
Am I supposed to go to the Booster Club and ask for water funding? Our parents and volunteers work pretty hard to pay for football helmets, junior high coaches, and everything else that helps all of our athletic programs survive. It doesn’t seem right to deplete their funds by asking for water.
I find it ironic that the county can give thousands of dollars to the Tennis Association to complete its new courts, but the school can’t get water from the city. The Tennis Association has a jewel in its new lighted courts. Their organization must be very proud of what they have accomplished. It is a beautiful asset to our community.
I was hoping football on Friday nights was also still cherished by the leaders of our community. Our young men represent themselves, our school, and our community with class each time they play. I am hoping our small project of getting the field back into shape will some day take place.
Until then, I guess I’ll be praying for rain.
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