Lighted soccer field one
step closer to reality
SOUTH RIVER — Some residents say they can’t wait to have a fully lighted, regulation soccer field in town.
Last Wednesday, soccer players and members of the Portuguese Soccer Club filled the library at South River High School during the Borough Council meeting in support of lighting and renovation work at Daley’s Pond Park.
"They’ve [soccer players] waited a really long time to have a place to play," said resident Bill Kahse.
The borough currently does not have a lighted field at any of its seven parks in town.
At the meeting, the council approved a measure allowing the borough engineering firm of CME and Associates, Sayreville, to design specifications for lights and an irrigation system in the soccer area of the park.
The borough has several soccer fields already, but avid players say none are large enough for regulated play for both adults and youths, and most are not in good condition. With more than 500 South River residents involved in soccer, the borough is sorely in need of more fields, they said.
Kahse, an advocate for soccer fields, said he would like to see more soccer fields in the borough.
Kahse said that although the district had good intentions with building a new soccer field behind the South River Educational Complex, Montgomery Street and Johnson Place, there is still need for more fields in the borough.
"The new field behind the school does not cut it," said Kahse.
Kahse urged the council to go ahead with the plans for the soccer field.
Councilman Shawn Haussermann said he was in favor of the lighting, but thought that it may better suit residents in the area to have the lights erected in the south end of the park.
At least one resident present, however, did express concerns about the soccer fields.
Frank Jones said he was concerned about the safety of children walking to the park to play since there are inadequate sidewalks.
Jones suggested that the council look into improving sidewalk access in and around the park.
In recent weeks, residents against lighting the field have also complained that there is inadequate parking in the area, and that the lighting would only prompt loitering, noise and overall bad conditions at the park.
Some residents expressed concern about dangerous conditions around the soccer area, including large drainage pipes nearby.
Earlier this year, representatives from the Portuguese Soccer Club suggested to the borough Recreation Committee that renovation work be done to the Daley’s Pond Park soccer field. The renovation work would allow for a lighted, regulation soccer field.

