What do you think about the soccer park Cathedral City is building?

By James "Jim" Warlin

It says...this is our city government's fulfillment of a request by hundreds if not thousands of Cathedral City's parents, coaches, youth organizers, teachers and (most importantly) young people for a long sought-after sports facility that will support both healthy, athletic, soccer competition as well as provide a badly-needed, additional "park" and (potential) walking track for our residents and visitors.

It says to the citizens of our city, "We CAN do what's good for our community when we really put our hearts and minds to it." Inspite of some repeated and early resistance by two of our councilmen, the will of the people has won out with a reversal in position by the two and a unanimous vote in favor of the park.

Having attended many of the community meetings held to discuss the "possibility" of building the soccer park, I welcomed the chance to meet and listen to some citizens who were truly concerned about the cost of the facility, as well as the traffic, refracted light and noise that might be generated. As a planning commissioner for the city, I was assured, as were my fellow residents of the area close to the 30th Avenue site, that relief from noise, excessive night time light and traffic were major considerations in the overall design and operation of the park.

I was also relieved to know that the park's organizers and operators have committed to taking an active role in the cost of maintenance of what will surely prove to be a magnificent sports center and park.

It says to me, without a doubt, that when you have a well-planned-out proposal for our community, backed by dedicated, fellow citizens committed to making that proposal come "true," and a community like ours that's willing to work together, we can accomplish just about anything we want and need.

Jim Warlin, Candidate Cathedral City City Council