Rec Sports
City Council Hears Updates on HARP Board & Recreation Department
On Tuesday, October 21st, the City Council was pleased to hear progress updates from the city’s Parks and Recreation director, Amber Magee, and the city’s History, Arts, Recreation and Parks (HARP Board). The all-volunteer board includes Chair Casey Davis and Mark Stetchschulte, a candidate for city council this year.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
The Parks & Recreation department:
- Continues to see uptake in youth and adult recreation opportunities across all offerings, receives positive revenues from the programs, and believes they are offering a high-quality product for the relatively lower costs, compared to neighboring jurisdictions.
- Is facing a budget crunch for 2026, but has cut costs and increased revenue this year;
- Is eager to make capital improvements to parks, including Citizens Park and Walker-Branch Park, should financial funding mechanisms be found;
The HARP board has:
- Finished a third edition of the Edgewater History Book (buy it on Amazon!);
- Applied for a grant for a new mural in town (they want community input!);
- Continues to sort through hundreds of artifacts from the city’s history at the civic center.
The city’s communications & events team has five major priorities for 2026 – including to strengthen the use of the Ask Edgewater App so citizens know they can communicate directly with a staff member. You can download it!
Parks & Recreation Updates
The city’s Parks and Recreation Director, Amber Magee, briefed the city council on increasing uptake of the city’s recreation programs and the status of parks across the city. Her update included:
- POSITIVE REVIEWS | The city averages 800 uses of recreation facilities per month, has had more than 100 attendees per month at programming for those over 55, and nearly 500 participants in youth sports. Magee reported continued positive reviews of the facilities and programs from residents.
- C.R.E.A.T.E SCHOLARSHIPS | “Connecting Residents of Edgewater with Activity, Teamwork & Engagement” scholarships are available for any student who needs financial support to participate in Edgewater’s youth sports programs. You can learn more about the youth programs and the scholarship program.
- There are no fees for several after-school programs the city runs, and fees are significantly lower ($35) in Edgewater for other youth sport programs in the area.
- BUDGET CRUNCH | Costs for running facilities, retaining vendors, buying supplies, and paying staff within the parks and recreation department are projected to go up in 2026, in line with broader economic trends — that is creating a budget crunch for the department and the city more broadly.
- Magee gave several examples of contracts the city terminated this year to cut costs, including — for example — deciding to not outsource laundry services.
- Magee noted that the city’s adult fitness classes are not fully recovering their costs, in part because there are several private fitness offerings in and near Edgewater.
- Recreation fees may slightly increase next year to help the city balance its budget, according to Magee, who believed such fee increases would be justified given the quality of programming offered by the department.
- MASTER PLAN | The city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan calls for capital investments to improve parks across the city. Funding mechanisms for them have not been found, however. Mayor Steve Conklin wanted the public to know their input and feedback during the comprehensive plan process was appreciated and still on the mind of staff and elected officials.
- 2026 PRIORITIES | The Parks & Recreation team will prioritize safety, compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), regular and deferred maintenance, subsidized after-school and senior programs, library partnerships, and improvements to sidewalks at Citizens Park.
- WALKER-BRANCH | There is a master plan for Walker-Branch Park, but there is not a revenue stream or grantor to execute the plan.
- The park, located next to the civic center, is run in partnership with the city of Lakewood, which may have some funds to make improvements, according to
- The original cost of Phase I of the park’s master plan was $1.1M, but may now cost $1.5-$2M to execute, given rising costs in the economy.
- PARK @ 26TH & KENDALL | The city has added picnic tables to a small “pocket park” at the corner of 26th and Kendall; the mayor and staff are interested in continuing to make improvements.
- HORSE SHOES | Residents can reserve the horse shoe courts at Citizens Park for $12/hour (do so on Play Edgewater). “Horseshoe Larry” maintains the courts for the city and hosts weeknight events and Sunday tournaments.
- TENNIS COURTS | The city may consider asking the school district about making the tennis courts at 24th and Pierce street available for public use; they previously were open to residents who had contacted the city for a lock code, but were closed due to vandalism concerns.
HARP Board Updates
The city’s History, Arts, Recreation, and Parks (H.A.R.P.) board includes Casey Davis, Melissa Denis, Alex Donaldson, Lauren Klepac, Kelsey Lindsey, Daniel Thies, and Mark Stetchschulte. Edgewater residents can provide input to the board by email (contact information is available).
At Tuesday’s meeting, Chair Casey Davis provided an update on recent progress made on the city’s board. Those updates included:
- HISTORY BOOK | Lauren Klepic led a process this year to revise a history book about the city: “Edgewater, Colorado: 120 Years of Growth, Resilience, and Community Spirit.”
- The third revision included community input and resulted in 42 adjustments.
- The HARP board hopes to revise the book each year. You can purchase it.
- MURAL | Kelsey Lindsey is spearheading a project to do another mural project in Edgewater.
- The board submitted a letter of intent for grant funding for the project;
- The board will know by November if they are awarded resources for the project, after which they will seek community input on how the mural should honor the community’s history and values
- ARTIFACTS | The HARP board established a systematic process to deaccession items from the city’s museum;
- Mark Stetchschulte developed criteria to evaluate whether historical items in the city’s possession should be discarded (for example, if there are duplicates, of poor quality, lacking context, available online, or not related to Edgewater)
- The HARP board has been working through troves of articles and artifacts at the city’s civic center, and brainstorming what to do about them.
- GUIDING PRINCIPLES | At the encouragement of city council member Hannah Gay Keao, the HARP board adapted a three-page overview with “guiding principles” to inform the public and other stakeholders the role of HARP, which is primarily to advise the council on history, arts, recreation, and parks related topics.
- 125/150/250 CELEBRATIONS | Next year will be the 125th anniversary of Edgewater applying for its home rule charter status with the state. It coincides with the 150th anniversary of the state and 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The Mayor has issued a “charge” to celebrate the anniversaries.
- The HARP board has been considering ideas, like a time capsule, license plate covers commemorating Edgewater, a set of charms reflecting the city’s top locations, and post-card like recipes shared with residents.
- The Mayor encouraged the HARP board to continue to brainstorm on ideas, and offered his own: inviting local businesses with historical significance to Edgewater to participate in the year-long celebration; he noted, for example, that Lakeview Lounge used to be Edgewater’s Post Office.
Communications and Events Department
The city’s Communications and Events Director Kalah Hardt briefed the council on her department’s priorities for 2026 which are to:
- Increase in city mailers and promotion for services, programs, and important resident information.
- Increase in city engagement at local business events.
- Continue growth and local engagement at city-hosted events.
- MaintainADA accessibility standards
- Increase AskEdgewater App use.
The App, which readers can download, allows residents to contact a staff member about any issue directly, among other features.
Tyler Fisher is the Publishing Editor of the Edgewater Echo. He is volunteering his time to educate Edgewater residents about what is happening in their community, and he welcomes the help of other community members interested in writing for the Echo and helping to promote it.
Tyler is also the Founder and Principal of Trailmark Strategies — a boutique strategy consulting firm that works with philanthropists, nonprofits, and mission-driven companies. Tyler primarily consults on mental health, democracy, and housing projects. Tyler is also a Research Fellow at Harvard’s Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, Senior Advisor at Dalberg, and writer of the “Bipolar and Bipartisan” Substack.
Tyler has lived in Edgewater since 2022. He has volunteered as a basketball and volleyball coach at the civic center and previously served on the citizens’ advisory committee for the hiring of the city’s police chief. He is currently a member of the Edgewater Charter Review Task Force.
Related
Dec. 31, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET
The parents of Aidan Zingg, a 16-year-old motocross star who died June 28 during a race in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., submitted a wrongful death and survival lawsuit to the Superior Court of California in Riverside County for filing against the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and other entities involved in the race, according to an electronic confirmation generated by the court Tuesday, Dec. 30.
The parents alleged the fatal collision was preventable and resulted from careless race operations and defective safety equipment, according to a copy of the complaint reviewed by USA TODAY Sports.
After initially going down on the track, Aidan was conscious and alert as he made attempts to regain his feet, according to the complaint, which states no caution flags or warnings were raised by race operators as the race continued at Mammoth Mountain Motocross.
According to the complaint, Aidan’s jersey and equipment showed visible signs of being struck by at least one other rider, according to the complaint, which says the chest protector Zingg wore during the race was punctured.
Despite efforts to perform life-saving measures on Aidan, he was pronounced dead at Mammoth Hospital later that day, according to the complaint.
According to the electronic confirmation of the filing, the documents submitted to the court by the Zinggs’ attorney will be accepted, partially accepted or rejected by the Clerk of Court. The confirmation provides no timetable for the process to be completed.
A wrongful death lawsuit seeks compensation for surviving relatives based on the economic and emotional impact of the death. A survival action lawsuit seeks compensation for costs the deceased person may have incurred before death and compensation for the deceased person’s conscious pain and suffering from the time of injury to death.
“Most of all, the Zingg family is seeking transparency and accountability wherever it is fair and just,” attorney Kevin Biniazan, representing the family, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “If this legal action motivates safer operations of these races and equipment that these riders wear in a way that saves another family from enduring what the Zinggs have endured and will continue to endure, it will have been a success.”
Is Motocross the deadliest sport for youth? An Investigation
Aidan is one of at least 158 children and teens who have died on dirt bikes and at motocross tracks since 2000, according to a USA TODAY Investigation. That makes it the deadliest sport for young people – roughly seven times greater than tackle football.
During the USA TODAY investigation, a spokesperson for the AMA said it has longstanding safety protocols for its sanctioned events and can’t control unaffiliated tracks.
But the lawsuit filed by Aidan’s parents, Robert and Shari, says Mike Burkeen, Deputy Director of Racing for the AMA, was present at Mammoth Motocross June 20-29 and “possessed the responsibility and authority to manage the racing activities to preserve the safety of riders.’’ The races were sanctioned by the AMA.
In addition to the AMA, other defendants named in the lawsuit include 2XP LLC, a California-based company that worked with the AMA to promote the annual amateur races; Alterra Mountain Company U.S. Inc., a hospitality company in Denver that owns Mammoth Mountain; and Revelyst Adventure Sports that does business as Fox Racing and manufactures motocross protective equipment, including the chest protector Aidan wore during the fatal crash, according to the complaint.
The AMA and 2XP, according to the complaint, entered into a joint venture and agreement “to plan,organize, operate, promote, and oversee the motocross racing at Mammoth Motocross.”
The defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment USA TODAY Sports submitted by phone, text message and email.
Aidan Zingg’s death timeline, according to complaint
The day of the race, Aidan, a prodigy with Kawasaki’s prestigious Green Team program, was participating in the morning 250B class race, according to the complaint. The complaint says Aidan went down after rounding the corner at Turn 9, which was the furthest from the start line where most spectators were located, according to the complaint.
The corner was left unmanned by flaggers, who raise and wave flags to communicate cautions and dangers, including when a rider goes down, according to the complaint. The complaint described that decision to leave the turn unmanned as a, “particularly reckless decision.’’
No caution flags or warnings were raised by race operators when Aidan went down and, according to riders, he was conscious and attempted to regain his feet. He was found later face down on the racetrack.
The race had continued for approximately three more laps before it was stopped, according to the complaint, which says Aidan’s father became alarmed when he did not see his son lap the track with the other riders, according to the complaint.
Making his way to the back of the track, Aidan’s father saw his son on the track, according to the complaint, which says Aidan’s father and others “swarmed’’ to render aid, but Aidan was pronounced dead at Mammoth Hospital later in the day.
The complaint also cited design, construction, and maintenance or some combination thereof, in creating “a dangerous condition at Turn 9 because of a near hairpin turn coming out of a jump and into another.”
“The design, construction, and maintenance of Turn 9 increased the risk of riders crashing into each other while riding or crashing into a rider who had fallen on the track and created a heightened risk of injury by participating in Mammoth Motocross as compared to other motocross races or tracks,’’ according to the complaint.
The AMA and 2XP “coordinated and approved a crowded field of 29 riders’’ who competed in the 250B class race.
Aidan’s parents have demanded a jury trial and are seeking damages, including but not limited to, pain, suffering, and disfigurement and other losses or damages that the decedent sustained or incurred before death, according to the complaint.
Rec Sports
Downtown ballpark, statewide games lead Richmond’s 2026 sports lineup | Richmond Free Press
Richmond will open a new downtown ballpark and host relocated statewide games while the region welcomes back professional golf and NASCAR among a packed calendar of sporting events in 2026.
The Richmond Flying Squirrels will play their first game at CarMax Park on April 7, marking the end of a decades-long effort to replace The Diamond. The 10,000-seat facility cost about $115 million and features a 360-degree concourse, wider seats and a 32-by-115-foot video board. The ballpark will host 69 Flying Squirrels games as well as concerts and festivals throughout the year.
The Virginia Commonwealth Games will move to the Richmond region in 2026 after 10 years in Lynchburg. The multisport event draws athletes of all ages across more than 30 sports at venues in Chesterfield and Henrico counties. More than 310,000 people have participated since the games began 36 years ago. Richmond has committed to hosting the event for three years.
Henrico will host the DIII Champions Classic on Dec. 28-29 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, a new regular-season showcase featuring past NCAA Division III men’s basketball national champions. The inaugural field includeds Randolph-Macon College, the 2022 national champion; Christopher Newport University, the 2023 champion; Babson College, the 2017 champion; and the University of Scranton, which won titles in 1976 and 1983. The two-day event is designed as a national in-season destination for Division III programs.
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will induct six people on April 25 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump. Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and former NBA player Grant Hill headline the class. University of Virginia men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett, youth basketball coach Marcellus “Boo” Williams and former WNBA player Kristi Toliver will also be inducted. Businessman Bobby Ukrop will receive the Distinguished Virginian award.
LIV Golf will hold its Virginia tournament May 8-10 at Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., in Northern Virginia. The field includes major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. The event drew large crowds when it debuted at the venue in 2023.
Richmond Raceway will host NASCAR races on Aug. 14-15. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runs Friday night at 7:30 p.m., with the Cook Out 400 Cup Series race scheduled for Saturday evening at 7 p.m. The raceway sold out its 2025 race weekend.
Other events included the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Hoops Classic women’s basketball tournament Nov. 25-28 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center; the U.S. Youth Futsal National Championships, also at the Henrico facility; and the Allianz Richmond Marathon on Nov. 14.
A rendering of an aerial view of CarMax Park, Richmond’s $90 million downtown ballpark opening April 7, 2026. The 10,000-seat stadium will host Flying Squirrels games, concerts and festivals throughout the year. (Photo courtesy Richmond Flying Squirrels )
BIG BEND — Big Bend residents are divided over a proposed youth sports complex that would transform farmland into one of Wisconsin’s largest athletic facilities.
The development would be located along Big Bend Road and Town Line Road in the Waukesha County village of 1,500 people. Developer Eric Weishaar plans to build indoor and outdoor baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields, along with 1,500 parking spots, a hotel, restaurants and retail space.
Breck Athletics Complex
Developer documents show the complex would feature architecture resembling a Colorado mountain town. If approved, the facility aims to become a premier youth sports destination for national tournaments by 2027.
The proposal has created tension among residents. James Schmittinger, who moved to the area for its quiet, rural atmosphere, strongly opposes the plan.
Watch: Big Bend residents split on proposed massive youth sports complex plan
Big Bend residents split on proposed massive youth sports complex plan
“Why Big Bend? Why this location? Pick a location where you don’t have so many residents around,” Schmittinger said. “To see this coming here breaks my heart.”
TMJ4
Schmittinger said he would sell his home if the complex is built, citing concerns about traffic, noise and lighting from nighttime games.
“Those games usually go into nighttime, then you have all these bright lights going on,” Schmittinger said.
Weishaar acknowledged residents’ concerns and said he wants to be a good neighbor.
“We’re actually spending more money on specific lights to minimize the light pollution for the surrounding area,” Weishaar said. “We’re going to have some buffer zones between homes in the area, and we’re doing traffic studies.”
TMJ4
The developer emphasized the economic benefits the complex would bring to the community.
“They’re going to be spending their weekend there, they’re going to be spending their money there, and so when you have all of that, the economic impact is just massive,” Weishaar said.
Not all nearby residents oppose the project. Matthew Welter, whose property could be within 10 feet of the complex, says he’s open to the idea.
“Once I read up on what they’re doing out here, I don’t consider it that bad; it could be a lot worse. It’s not going to be factories, it’s not going to be 100 condos,” Welter said.
TMJ4
The village plans to hold a public hearing next month to discuss the proposal. Village leaders did not respond to requests for comment.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Key Takeaways
- Breck Athletic Complex would include 155,000 square feet of indoor turf for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training in southeastern Wisconsin
- The 42-acre project features 20+ outdoor fields across baseball, softball, soccer, futsal, and lacrosse
- National tournament operators have committed to 25-30 year lease agreements, according to the developer
- SC Wave, a Milwaukee Wave-affiliated soccer club, is named as a key tenant seeking a permanent home
- A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 before the Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission
Multi-Sport Destination Planned for Agricultural Land
A proposal to convert 42 acres of farmland in Big Bend, Wisconsin into a regional youth sports destination is advancing through the local approval process. Eric Weishaar, owner and developer of Breck Athletic Complex, presented plans to the Big Bend Plan Commission in November.
The project would require amending the village’s comprehensive plan to change the land designation from Medium Density Residential to Commercial. A joint public hearing between the Village Board and Plan Commission is set for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” Weishaar said during the November meeting.
Facility Breakdown and Phased Construction
The development would include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza seating, seven full-size soccer fields, three futsal fields, and four lacrosse fields. The 155,000-square-foot indoor facility would support year-round training across multiple sports.
Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. The site plan also incorporates commercial outlots along Highway 164 for a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail.
Construction is planned across eight phases. Soccer fields would come first, with a potential opening as early as spring 2026 if ground breaks this coming spring. Baseball and softball fields are targeted for spring 2027 to give tournament operators lead time for scheduling.
Long-Term Tenants Already Committed
Weishaar told commissioners that national tournament operators have committed to lease agreements spanning 25 to 30 years. SC Wave, affiliated with the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer organization, is also identified as a key partner.
“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.
The complex is expected to draw teams from outside Wisconsin for weekend-long tournaments, creating demand for nearby lodging and dining.
Community Compatibility a Focus
Developers emphasized that the facility would use modern LED field lighting designed to minimize light spill into nearby residential areas. Tournaments are expected to conclude by 10 or 11 p.m.
“This is not something that is going on all night,” Weishaar said.
The project still requires zoning and site plan approvals. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet tenant timelines.
If approved, Breck Athletic Complex would join a growing list of large-scale youth sports facilities positioning themselves as regional tournament destinations. The combination of indoor and outdoor capacity, long-term operator commitments, and adjacent commercial development reflects a model increasingly favored by developers seeking year-round revenue streams.
via: GM Today
photo: Courtesy of Village of Big Bend
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A little more than 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District students received an early Christmas present at Pajaro Valley High’s first annual toy drive event on Dec. 23.
Children from H.A. Hyde, Ohlone and Hall District elementary schools got a chance to pick from an assortment of toys inside the gymnasium prior to the varsity girls’ basketball game against North Monterey County.
The youngsters also got a special visit from Santa Claus and Little Santa Claus, who spoke to the group prior to making their way to the newly packaged basketballs, board games, backpacks and stuffed animals.
“My mission is to not just coach basketball, but help young people and help families through a difficult time during Christmas,” Pajaro Valley girls’ basketball head coach Darren Jackson said. “For most families, it’s difficult for them to go out and purchase gifts. It was an awesome turnout.”
It’s been nearly a decade since Jackson began the toy drive tradition with his wife Melissa, a teacher at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas.
“[Melissa] was telling me there’s a lot of kids that’s struggling, and there’s a lot of homeless kids out there,” Jackson said. “So, she inspired me through her job.”
Jackson spent 24 years at North Salinas High before taking the helm at Pajaro Valley in September. The Grizzlies’ first-year head coach said he was hoping to keep the tradition alive in Watsonville.
Jackson and the girls’ basketball team were dished an assist from PV High Activities Director Julie Brusa.
Brusa and ASB student body members stepped in by helping collect dozens of donations, including 25 bicycles given out through a raffle.
“[Brusa and the ASB student body] played a role,” Jackson said. “It was a girls’ basketball function but we turned it into a school function.”
FLORENCE, Ala. (December 30, 2025) – For a second straight year, the University of North Alabama Department of Athletics will host a free youth clinic to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the UNA Rec Center.
The free clinic is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and is open to ages 4-12.
“Hosting our second annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day clinic reflects our commitment to empowering girls through athletics,” said Debbie Williams, UNA Associate Athletic Director for Business Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator. “After welcoming over 100 young girls last year, we are excited to continue growing this event by giving our female student-athletes the opportunity to inspire confidence, demonstrate leadership and highlight the positive impact of sports both on and off the field.”
All of UNA’s women’s sports programs, including student-athletes and coaches, will be involved in the camp. This includes women’s basketball, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, cheer and dance, cross country, women’s golf, soccer, softball and women’s tennis.
Following this event, the UNA women’s basketball team will host FGCU at 6 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena. The NGWSD celebration will continue during the game. This game will also serve as Youth Sports Night.
NGWSD is an initiative created by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The annual observance is the first Wednesday of February during National Signing Day.
To register, click here.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Parents of motocross star Aidan Zingg file wrongful death lawsuit
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23 عاما من الفضائح السياسية والجنسية منذ انقلاب حمد بن خليفة.. استغلال الفتيات الصغيرات في الدعارة.. ضبط ابنة رئيس وزراء قطر خلال ممارستها لجنس الجماعي.. ملامح الحكم تتخبط بين المنفي وتدخلات النساء
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