Transition of Harrisburg Youth Association off to a smooth start

By Jonathan E. Coleman
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For several years, Harrisburg town officials and Harrisburg Youth Association organizers have discussed the possibility of joining forces under the umbrella of the town’s Parks & Recreation department.

The youth athletic league, which served more nearly 2,700 children last year, offers the town an opportunity to expand its recreational reach and further meet the needs of its citizens, said Foster Hughes, who took the post of the town’s Parks & Recreation director earlier this year.

Almost immediately after stepping into his new role, Hughes began working on transition plans to take charge of HYA activities.

“This will be a one-year transition period,” Hughes said. “We’re working well with those important positions (HYA sports coordinators). We’ll continue to do that through the year.”

From the HYA’s perspective, the merger gives the volunteer-driven organization a permanent place in Harrisburg, said Steve Sciascia, who has served as HYA president for the past seven years and also serves on the Harrisburg Town Council.

“More controls are put in place to ensure that we’re going to be around for many years,” Sciascia said. “This locks up a permanent home for the youth league.

“Selfishly, it’s helping us tremendously. It’s taking a bunch of pressure off the volunteers.”

But Sciascia said it’s also a big win for the town.

“The town gets a ready-made program that’s not losing any money,” he said. “Starting from scratch, it’s a tough deal. We’re handing them a ready-made model. As long as they keep the recipe the same, it should succeed.”

Hughes said the most important challenge to overcome during the transition process is to make sure the communication is there between parents and the Parks & Recreation department.

“I’m not going to say there haven’t been a few bumps,” he said of the transition so far. “We’ve had some miscommunications, but it’s just a matter of reaching out and finding out who we need to talk to and making sure the parents are aware of the changes.

“Always, when you have a merger like this, you’re going to have some issues, but everyone has been willing to help in any way possible.”

To help keep the general public and the parks department connected, Hughes said his department has set up a hotline and established its own Web site. Parents seeking information about HYA or other Parks & Recreation activities can call 704-455-2903 or visit http://www.harrisburgparksandrecreation.com

Early indications point toward a successful transition to this point, Hughes said, with 1,188 youth having signed up to take part in spring baseball, softball and soccer leagues.

If that’s any indication, bringing HYA under the scope of the town could just be scratching the surface of growth in the department.

As for his role, Sciascia admits that he’s looking forward to taking a break from the duties he’s held as president, but added that he won’t walk away from HYA completely.

“I’m going to be the watchdog,” he said. “It won’t fail as far as I’m concerned. I’m going to make sure it continues to run smoothly.”

• Contact editor Jonathan E. Coleman at 704-789-9105.