Proehl makes investment for community's youth
What a breath of fresh air to read the article about Proehlific Park (Jeri Rowe column, Sept. 15) after year upon year of seemingly nonstop sport scandals ranging from the youth level to the pros.
My admiration goes to a pro athlete who, rather than squandering his fortune, has the faith, vision, values, mission, courage and conviction to invest in the youth of our community -- a community his own family calls home.
As one who experienced the joy and personal fulfillment of coaching youngsters in sports for 20 years, I encourage all parents concerned for the environment in which their children are being formed to give their support to Ricky Proehl's community project. Proehlific Park's mission and guiding principles can be found at www.proehlificpark.com. They are worth the read!
John Malmfelt
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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You know it's all fine and dandy he wants to build his "park", and his motives are probably in the right place, but, Mr. Proehls "community project" sits along side one of the busiest 2 lane roads in Northwest Greensboro adding additional traffic to a road that is already overburdend.
Mr. Proehl lives in a gated community several miles from Horsepen Creek Road, he doesn't have to battle traffic out of our middle class working neighborhoods every day to try and get to work. Our neighborhoods have been along Horsepen Creek Road for over 25 years, it used to be rural, now it's city traffic 24/7.
If Mr. Proehl wanted to give back to the community so badly, why not support local school programs instead of creating a "for-profit" exclusive sports complex?
I see he thinks so much of our community that he doesn't even send his children to a Greensboro School.
No one that I know in our neighborhood can afford to join his club, nor would they choose to given the new YMCA is less than a half mile down the road.
Let's call this as it is, a monument to another wealthy person who is putting a business were the residents had no voice in challenging, and that the money-grubbers once again win out over us small guys.
Posted on October 1, 2007 9:56 AM
Sometimes when the 'money-grubbers once again win out", it's actually a good thing for us small guys.
Instead of the government building another park and us small guys picking up the tab for it through our property taxes or a bond referendum, the costs of maintaining this facility will be bourn by the users of the facility and the owners. They will contribute to the county's coffers instead of us.
Trying to find the silver lining today.......
Posted on October 1, 2007 10:01 AM
nit, good attempt.
I can see the perspective from both NAL & the LTTE writer. NAL's points need to be considered though.
It sounds as if Proehlific Park will be a "gated exclusive club" for people who live in "gated exclusive communities."
NAL points out a fairly good place for ALL people....YMCA!
Shalom
Posted on October 1, 2007 11:01 AM
Darryl,
I know. Just trying to think positive. I do like the YMCA but unfortunately, they are still out of my price range. I make just enough money to not qualify for any meaningful assistance and not enough money to afford anything extra after paying full price so that others can get it free.
Awarding productivity. What a concept.
Posted on October 1, 2007 2:25 PM
test
Posted on June 11, 2008 4:22 PM