East Ridge residents express concerns over soccer fields

East Ridge residents express concerns over soccer fields

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Some east ridge residents are upset over a project that's putting soccer fields right behind their backyards.

News 12's dorothy sherman explains.

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "on thursday night some residents brought their concerns over soccer fields to city council members, and while an attempt was made to stop work on the project, it will continue on."

Much like other residents in the jordan run neighborhood, rachel pryor didn't see it coming.

Resident rachel pryor: "one day some orange stakes appeared out here.

I think it was november 9th, if i'm not mistaken.

We just looked out back and noticed a crew and trucks driving around and measuring off and staking off for what we now know will be soccer fields."

The city is adding 4 new soccer fields to the complex.

Two of which are one well-kicked soccer ball away from these homes.

Resident rachel pryor: "we're not excited about fans and spectators and other kids being in our backyard.

The lights that will be up.

The noise that will come from games and practices."

Pryor was one of the residents that spoke out about the situation during an east ridge city council meeting thursday night.

Resident rachel pryor: "we're not against the development and growing our city and being able to host larger tournaments which i know is a big concern.

We just want to see it done in a better way, and we would've appreciated more communication from the city before anything was done."

The city manager says that the city acquired most of the land for those fields in 1992.

He says the plan for those soccer fields was first drawn up in 2001.

City manager chris dorsey: "these have been in the works for literally almost 20 years.

We now have funding to be able to do those.

We have good opportunities to utilize those fields."

At the meeting, one councilman introduced a motion to stop work the project, but the motion failed due to the lack of a second motion.

The mayor says he would not be opposed to putting in a tree line to block the yards from the fields and put a no parking sign on the road those residents live on, but no official action has been taken.

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "officials say they are looking to have the fields completed by the spring.

In east ridge, dorothy sherman, news 12 now."

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