 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
We did it
By SHERYL KAY © St. Petersburg Times, published May 18, 2001 LUTZ -- More than two decades have passed since Oscar Cooler stepped up to the plate and took on the fight to build a real Little League field for the youth of Lutz. On Saturday, the results of his work, and many others' will be celebrated at the 26th anniversary and homecoming of the Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex on Lutz-Lake Fern Road. "Back then I had no idea what would happen in the final analysis, but I can tell you I haven't been disappointed," said the 72-year-old retired sales manager who has made his home in Lutz since 1962. During the early '70s, Cooler had two sons playing Little League baseball. "We were having to play behind the school on one little field, and sometimes we had to use a field that was 5 or 6 miles away," Cooler said. "Besides, the school was going to be expanding and using that area that we played on, so we knew we were on borrowed time." Cooler set his eyes on a 20-acre orange grove, mostly because of its central location within Lutz, and then went to work on county executives to convince them to procure the land. "It took 23 months and 156 meetings," said Cooler. "There was never a person that said no, they just said they didn't know where the money would come from." But in the end, his persistence paid off. "I kept pounding and pounding and pounding," he said. "I guess they just got tired of listening to me." The original property was purchased for $110,000. Eight years ago another 11 acres were added for $275,000. Today the property boasts seven baseball fields, three girls softball fields, a football complex, two tennis courts, a basketball court, a children's playground and the not-yet-completed Lutz Nature Park. "This park means so much to us because it's the only game in town," said Auralee Buckingham, who together with Cooler, organized Saturday's event. "We don't have a movie theater, we don't have a skating rink, we have this big beautiful park where all the families can come with their kids and meet up with everyone else." Buckingham said the park also symbolizes a neighborhood effort. "The county bought the 20 acres, but the people of Lutz raised the money and built the original ball field," she said. "We've had some help from the county, but we don't sit around waiting for them to do it for us. We get out there and make it happen for the community." When asked why she and Cooler chose the 26th anniversary, rather than the more predictable 25th, Buckingham quipped: "Oscar and I couldn't get our acts together last year. And we couldn't get a compatible date for all the groups." And while she said that it becomes exceedingly difficult to plan events in Lutz that don't coincide with someone's calendar, she is not worried about Saturday's celebration. "Its going to be a great get-together for Lutz residents and for people who used to live here and play ball here," Buckingham said. "There's gonna be a whole lot of reminiscing and hugging going on." Opening ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by games for alumni softball players and the parents of current players. There also will be games for younger children, a dunk tank, a moon walk and refreshments for sale. Admission is $5, but ball players and children 12 and under do not have to pay. Those who wish to help can call Buckingham at (813) 949-7481.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times |
