Letter to the editors
The proposal to improve and install fields at Ninigret Park has been eagerly embraced by the Chariho Cowboys, a Pop Warner Youth Football and Cheerleading program. For over 20 years, our program has provided the opportunity for young athletes to learn the sports of football and cheerleading.
The Town of Charlestown and the Washington County Pomona Grange (Washington County Fairgrounds) have both graciously provided us with practice fields during this time. While we greatly appreciate their generosity, the opportunity to have both practice and playing fields at the same location in Ninigret is a welcome prospect.
Our greatest need is for a lighted practice field. During the months of September through November, our football players currently practice at the Fairgrounds. While the area is lighted and provides plenty of parking, a field that is dedicated solely to sports practices is preferred by our coaching staff.
Our cheerleaders in particular require a level lighted surface to practice routines and stunts. A dedicated sports field with lighting specifically for sports purposes adds another level of safety for our athletes. Coaches often limit practices because of insufficient lighting after dusk.
The new facility at Ninigret would be utilized by the Cowboys five evenings a week during August, then three evenings a week September through November, never past 8 p.m. The Cowboys will use the lights approximately six hours a week. We will be considerate of all existing programs at Ninigret Park and appreciate the importance of these programs which call Ninigret home.
In developing the project, the Town of Charlestown will install the practice fields, including a girls softball field. Organizations such as the Cowboys will procure in kind donations, such as excavation, and installation of practice surfaces.
The greatest roadblock to our development of this facility is the proposed lighting ordinance for the town. This ordinance, if passed, will certainly eliminate our ability to upgrade our practice and game facilities within the town of Charlestown no matter the location. The lighting contractor, Musco Lighting, is sensitive to the dark skies initiative and has provided lighting near environmentally sensitive areas, such as a loggerhead turtle breeding ground.
Our organization is dedicated to Charlestown and the Chariho community. During our 20-year history, we provided the opportunity to participate in football and cheerleading to over 3,000 Chariho youths. Each year, the Cowboys average 350 children in the organization, a third of whom live in Charlestown.
We have won 14 state championships, and two New England championships. Last year, our Junior Midget Cheerleading squad won the RI State Cheerleading title for their age group. More than 40 Cowboy alumni played on the 2011 Superbowl Championship team for Chariho High School. The CHS cheerleading squads are also comprised largely of former Cowboy cheerleaders. If they don’t cheer, many Cowboy cheerleaders participate in the girl’s sports teams at the high school, already well-versed in the commitment required to be successful.
The Charlestown Recreation Department has worked tirelessly to develop a great new plan for some unused space at Ninigret and applied for grants and solicited donations to make it happen. Not only would the proposed lighting ordinance reduce the useability of the fields for all sports, but it would also impede necessary lighting for any events normally held at Ninigret.
The Board of Directors of the Chariho Cowboys is unanimously opposed to the lighting ordinance.
Sincerely,
Jim Gooding, President
Tom Rousseau, Vice President
Note: emphasis, images and links added by the editors.
