Football practice field being turned into farmland

BAINBRIDGE, Ind. – A youth athletic program in Putnam County is facing an uncertain future after a town council voted to turn their practice field into farmland.

North Point Park is surrounded by crops and if the town council gets their wishes, the one and a half acres will be just more of that.

Renee Wiatt’s 8-year-old son Beau has played football for the last two years, a part of the North Putnam Youth Football League.

“That’s his number one sport. He likes to play all the positions,” said Wiatt. “He’s been quarterback. He’s been on the defensive side. He likes to tackle kids and have fun.”

However, his Cougar passion could be in jeopardy.

A week or two ago, discussions began circulating about the town’s desire to rent the land to farmers.

Three farmers have shown interest so far.

“A lot of the parents and kids decided to show up to that town council meeting to just express, you know, our support for keeping it a park, keeping it available for youth programs, and just keeping it out of farmland,” she said.

Even with around 50 players in pads and jerseys, the council voted 2-to-1 in favor of the change.

“We felt like we weren’t really heard during that meeting, and our kids weren’t really heard,” said Wiatt.

So far, no contracts have been signed.

FOX59/CBS4 spoke with two town council members today about the issue.

Doug Lairmore, the lone vote to keep the practice field, said some of the renters involved respect the Cougar’s passion and no longer want to farm the land.

Vice President Jerry Lents said he’s been working with North Putnam Schools to hopefully score a touchdown.

“Those kids are hopefully going to be playing football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, you know, all the sports for us someday, we want to make sure that their families are supported, their kids are supported,” said Superintendent Dustin LeMay.

LeMay said that other recreational sports use their facilities already, so assisting the football team makes sense for them.

“We’re going to look to find what areas that can be used as best suitable for that meets their needs,” he said.

“We’ve got a plan A and they’re going to be looking at that today, and if that doesn’t work, then we’re going to look at a couple other spaces as well.”

LeMay said the school system is in the final planning stages for an expansion of their athletic facilities as well.

Lents added on Tuesday the town attorney will be writing up a contract with the coaches to allow them to use the park until at least December.

LeMay hopes to come to a resolution within the next few weeks.

Wiatt said even if the practices get moved, she would still hope the park stays open for community use.

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