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Delta throwback: New group wants action on lousy playing fields

The new association formed to lobby the city for better playing fields and facilities
george-hodgins-minor-soccer-team-1964
A September 1964 photo of the George Hodgins minor soccer team at the opening ceremonies of the Delta Minor Soccer Association at Memorial Park.

“I still think boys are more important than grass.”

That’s what Dr. J.O. Bowman, speaker for the newly formed Delta Amateur Sports Association, told Delta’s parks commission at a heated meeting in July 1965, demanding better sports facilities for local youth.

The new association included representatives from Delta soccer, football, baseball and softball amateur groups, representing over 1,500 players.

They were determined to improve the immediate and long-term needs for sports facilities in Delta.

The lack of facilities, poor condition of Delta’s playing fields and scheduling conflicts were the biggest issues for sports groups at the time.

Parks commission chair Bill Clipperton at the meeting announced that a special committee would be formed to investigate the parks needs of the municipality.

He noted a report would be coming to council that fall, likely with recommendations that would include having a referendum authorizing the purchase of necessary land.