Sports complex is needed

Our public schools and others providing goods and services have all responded appropriately to the phenomenal growth our county has experienced the last two decades. Yet the availability of facilities for many of our youth sports programs has not changed.

Yes, it’s unfortunate that such a facility might not be located within a stone’s throw of everyone wishing to utilize it. We have one hospital, one police station, one treasurer’s office and one jail. But failure to recognize the need for the sports complex is indicative of being out of touch with the area and the needs of our county’s youth.

Those who accompanied their young athletes from Abingdon to the state tournaments in Newport News and Charlottesville last summer, witnessed hotels filled to capacity, lines at restaurants and tournament attendees spending money across the local economy. However, the greatest benefits provided by such a complex can’t be measured in dollars and cents.

In addition to providing a place to participate, the optimum youth sports experience provides opportunities to communicate values such as work ethic, teamwork, sportsmanship and accountability. The absence of these skills in many of today’s entry-level workers is negatively impacting the employer’s bottom line. If you haven’t witnessed issues with work ethic and attitude in general, you’re out of touch with the society in which you live.

Thumbs up and hats off to the Abingdon Town Council and Washington County Supervisors for recognizing the need for the sports complex. Thank you for your degree of focus and commitment with respect to this issue and for not wasting tax dollars to study matters widely recognized as common knowledge. Thanks for keeping in touch with the needs of those you were elected to serve.

Robert L. Phillips Jr.
Abingdon, Va.