Houston Parks and Recreation Director Jim Root believes in the positive influence of sports in a child’s life. That’s why he has poured so much time into making the town’s youth programs the best they can be.
The latest improvement for Houston’s young athletes is a soccer complex at the Industrial Park. Donated by Joey Tuttle and dedicated to his parents, Columbus and Mable, the Tuttle Soccer Complex features five fields in a central location.
The complex will see its first action Saturday when the Houston eight-and-under team hosts two games.
“I think the city should be proud of the accomplishments made out here,” Root said.
The city took possession of the property in the fall following a lease agreement with Tuttle. Then the process of turning the six acres into soccer fields began. Fence rows were removed, the ground was leveled, rocks were picked and $1,000 worth of grass seed was sewn.
The final product gave the soccer program, which previously had one field at Westside Park and another at the airport, one location for all of its teams.
“It’s kind of like a little kid playing on a small basketball court and dreaming one day of playing on the bigger court,” Root said. “You can stand here and watch an older child play and say, ‘Someday I’ll play on that field.’”
About 65 children ages 4 to 12 are participating in the spring league. There are four teams in the 4-6 year-old division and one apiece in U8, U10 and U12. The three oldest teams each travel to neighboring communities as well as hosting games in Houston.
Root, who oversees baseball and basketball programs for the city as well, said the effort invested into the complex is a worthy cause. He is a proponent of children competing in sports.
“Our kids are our greatest natural resource. Without starting programs for them to participate, there’s lots of other things they can get into,” Root said.
“Sports programs not only give the kids something to do, but it somewhat prepares them for life. The ups and downs you experience in sports, you also have in life.”