Subject:
Title
Approval Re: Naming the three-field football facility at Max K. Rodes Park in West Melbourne - District 5
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Fiscal Impact:
None
Dept/Office:
Parks and Recreation Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested the Board of County Commissioners approve naming the three-field football facility at Max K. Rodes Park as the “Kingery Youth Football and Cheer Complex” in honor of Mr. Sid Kingery.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Brevard County Policy BCC-58, Naming of County Facilities, II. B. 3. and II. C. 3. Park Facilities, allows the naming of assets within the confines of park property that includes, but is not limited to, buildings, structures, open spaces, trails, natural areas, community centers, athletic fields, pavilions, recreation areas, boat launch facility, beach accesses, crossovers and other amenities and features. Park facilities may be named in honor of a living or deceased individual who has made a unique and extraordinary donation, purchase or other contribution to the County or Recreation Partner Agency.
At their regular meeting on August 17, 2020, the South Area Advisory Board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Greater West Melbourne Athletic Association to name the football complex at Max K. Rodes Park in honor of Mr. Sid Kingery. This meeting agenda was made available to the public and public comment was solicited during the meeting. No members of the public participated in the meeting nor gave comment. After receiving input from the Kingery family, a special meeting of the South Area Advisory Board was called on Aug 27, 2020 and a unanimous vote was recorded to approve the formal name “Kingery Youth Football and Cheer Complex”.
Mr. Kingery’s love of sports and young people were his motivations to support not only GWMAA but all of the local Junior and Senior High School athletic programs. Mr. Kingery was a member of the Melbourne High Booster club, as well as a sponsor and fundraiser for Eau Gallie High School, Palm Bay High School, Central Junior High School, Johnson Junior High School, and Southwest Junior High School. All of those sports programs knew they could count on Mr. Kingery and his family to help fund needed equipment, facility improvements, and especially for great game day barbecues that helped draw crowds and supporters.
Mr. Kingery and his family were key fundraising volunteers for West Melbourne athletics soliciting and receiving contributions from local many businesses that helped improve area school fields and equip youth teams. Mr. Kingery’s fundraising efforts led to the City of West Melbourne constructing “The Kingery Center”, a 2-story concession stand and board room building once located at the previous Rodes Park site (now the Field of Dreams). Mr. Kingery’s efforts, along with many others, resulted in the procurement of over 100 acres to build the current Max K. Rodes Park. He worked with County Commissioners, local businesses, and land owners on the project to allow for more families and more children to use the outdoors, participate in athletics and learn from experiences at the park.
Mr. Kingery and his family continue to support the Greater West Melbourne Athletic Association and the community by allowing the use of their property for end-of-year trophy celebrations and gatherings. They permit the use of their walk-in coolers, grills, and other items for fundraising. Mr. Kingery retired in early 2000 and now splits his time between his home in West Melbourne and his favorite hunting and fishing house in North Carolina. When he is in town, his home is open to his family, friends, and extended West Melbourne family that he has supported for so many years.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: