Appeal the Approval of Proposed Field Project

Dear Castro Valley Community and CVUSD Board of Directors;
My name is Mallory Pirogovsky and I am an 11 year Castro Valley resident. I am also a mother and a volunteer in our communities’ youth sports programs. I had the great honor of attending the public forum on 6/12 regarding the Canyon Middle School Athletic Fields Project with my family and my community. It is very refreshing to see so much community engagement on both sides of the argument.
I am writing to you on behalf of both my family, but also on behalf of all the thousands of families in Castro Valley to urgently appeal for the approval of the proposed field project despite the opposition it has faced from some of our neighbors regarding sound and lights. I understand and respect their concerns, but believe that the benefits of this project far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
As a volunteer for community youth sports, I am acutely aware of the pressing need for accessible outdoor spaces, particularly athletic fields. Currently, our children and families are forced to travel long distances—often 20 to 30 minutes away from our community—in order to practice and play sports. This not only adds to the logistical challenges for parents but also deprives our children of valuable time that could be spent engaging in healthy outdoor activities within their own neighborhood.
The proposed field project is not merely a luxury but a necessity for our community's well-being. It will provide a safe and convenient space for our youth to engage in sports and recreational activities, promoting physical fitness, social interaction, and overall well-being. Moreover, having these facilities close to home will foster a sense of community pride and cohesion among residents.
One of the key features of the proposed project is the installation of lights on the fields. While we understand concerns about light pollution and disturbance to neighbors, I must emphasize the critical importance of these lights. They are not simply for convenience but are essential for ensuring that our children have the opportunity to participate in sports year-round. With limited daylight hours, especially during the winter months, without lights, the fields would be rendered unusable for a significant portion of the year, further exacerbating the shortage of available playing space.
I acknowledge the concerns raised by some neighbors regarding potential noise and light disturbances. However, the project proposal as written is committed to working to address these concerns through mitigation measures such as carefully designed lighting systems that minimize spillage and glare and a commitment to not installing any noise amplification systems.
In conclusion, I urge the school board to consider the pressing needs of our community and approve the proposed field project. The benefits it will bring in terms of physical activity, community engagement, and overall quality of life far outweigh the challenges that may arise. Together, let us invest in our children's future and create a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive community for generations to come.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Mallory Pirogovsky