By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
May 28, 2020
Editor’s Note: Due to technical issues today, we were unable to post this article in a timely manner.
On the agenda of the May 27, 2020, meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, was a discussion of organized youth sports.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Friday, May 22, 2020, that organized youth sports (along with summer camps and youth recreation camps) can now resume under Phase 1 of The Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
At that meeting Commissioners Danny Leeper and Thomas Ford made mention of having received an email from Bill Cantrell who serves on the Recreation Commission on this subject.
According to a press release issued by the County, “A Special Meeting of the Nassau County Recreation Commission has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., in order for the County Manager and Assistant County Manager to discuss “re-starting” organized youth sports at County facilities while maintaining consistency with the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations.” That meeting will take place telephonically at 5:30pm.
The Department of Parks and Recreation, now under the leadership of Doug Podiak, oversees 19 park locations ensuring the grounds are maintained properly, supervises the construction of new park facilities, and works with a number of not-for-profit organizations for youth sports activities.
To that end, a Recreation Commission was established some years ago comprised of eleven members – nine league presidents and two at-large representatives to help coordinate activities. The most recent listing of commission members obtained online included:
Bryceville Sports Association
Callahan Little League
Callahan Athletic Association
Callahan Youth Soccer
Hilliard Little League
Hilliard Youth Football
Yulee Basketball
Yulee Little League, and
Yulee Pop Warner
As noted by Governor DeSantis, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) has put forth ‘recommendations for “ways in which youth sports organizations can protect players, families, and communities and slow the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019.” As noted on the CDC website, administrators of youth sports organization are encouraged to check with state and local health officials to determine if and how to put into place CDC’s recommendations.