East Lake Soccer Association

East Lake Soccer Association is a non-profit member run soccer organization. Soccer, as well as, the other youth sports baseball, softball, football and cheerleading rely on player registration and sponsor support for operating funds. Pinellas County recognizes the benefit of sports as a youth activity and our need for more space.

 

Pinellas County has proposed various plans to expand facilities at East Lake Youth Sports in the past. The plans provide for additional playing fields and more important adequate parking. These plans help local families and residents on Old Keystone Road. For various reasons, past plans were scuttled although the need is real and immediate. There is a new plan underway that would provide additional fields and adequate parking. Best of all, youth sports remain physically close to each other (as we are now).

 

This is good for youth sports and is also good for our neighbors with homes on Old Keystone Road. On game Saturdays parents will no longer have to look for nonexistent parking. The current parking situation at times results in parking on Old Keystone (illegal) and traffic congestion. It is important that families who are members of ALL sports at East Lake stay informed and active in supporting the counties plan. There is opposition to expansion of East Lake Youth Sports complex. The opponents to expansion tend to be more active, organized and vocal about their view point. Although we represent a far larger tax paying population, we aren't as vocal and need to be.

 

Use the East Lake Youth Sports website for information on facility expansion. There may be times you will be called upon to sign petitions or more importantly ATTEND public meetings where plans are discussed.

East Lake Soccer Association has a separate off-site mailing address, there is no mail delivery at the fields. A dropbox would allow members to physically (no mail delivery) drop important information at the fields anytime! The ability to deliver information to the fields regardless of fields being open or closed, is a convenience. We value member privacy and take security seriously so a lockable and secure drop box at the fields fills a current unmet need..

If you donating old office equipment...FREE. ELSA is a registered non-profit organization so there is probably a tax benefit to you (check with your tax professional)? Currently we do not have copy facilities at the field. This would be a convenience for both coaches and parents as well as the volunteers who administer the programs.

ELSA likes to have at least 3 tents available for use during the soccer season. The tents are use for: information stations, activities, etc... provide shade to camp participants provide shade to game spectators on the hottest days Tents have a useful life of 2-4 years, and we go through a lot of them and are in need again.

You have seen them around the fields. The are very necessary and we need more of them.

ELSA would love to have a light board at the entrance to the fields. Similar to the board Cypresswoods Elementary has located on the northside of East Lake Road. The board will be used to inform parents and players of important information while at the fields. Information like fields status, when a storms move in fast. No more waiting under the pavilion for the announcement! Would also be a very useful tool to recognizing our generous sponsors

• Here is one option (click goes to youtube.com)
• And another (click goes to youtube.com)

ELSA would like to give coaches and trainers a "birds-eye view" of play on the fields. From this vantage point we can capture game video for later review. A great Boy Scouts Eagle project, if there are members who are looking for a project.

More seating for game viewing. Would also eliminate some of the crowding on game Saturdays.

What happened to Slim’s Playground?

 

 

Many of you may be wondering why Slim’s Playground was dismantled. The reason is that because of age, wear & tear and vandalism, the structures had become unsafe. ELYSA is first and foremost concerned with the safety of our families, and made the decision to take the playground equipment down. We are eagerly looking forward to designing and building a new and improved playground for the youngest members of the ELYSA community – all of the younger siblings of our players who spend time at the complex “watching” their older brothers and sisters play sports.

 

 

The original playground was donated by the family of the beloved Slim McKinniss, a dedicated volunteer and member of ELYSA, back when we were the Upper Pinellas Youth Sports Complex. Slim spent countless hours lovingly maintaining our complex in its early days. The playground was built as a thank you and a remembrance of Slim.

 

 

Unfortunately, because ELYSA is COMPLETELY funded by user fees (remember, we get NO tax money from Pinellas County), we do not have funds in our budget to replace the unsafe equipment, or upgrade to a playground that would best serve our young children

 

 

Therefore, ELYSA is sending out a call for volunteers. We need people to help plan, fund raise and rebuild Slim’s Playground. We need individuals from all three sports – baseball & softball, football & cheerleading and soccer. If you are interested in helping with this worthy project, please email info@eastlakesports.org, or call Rick Watson at 727-251-8852.

 

 

HELP US HONOR SLIM BY REBUILDING HIS PLAYGROUND!