The following is written by Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow:
Sports bring a lot of fun into our lives, whether we’re playing or cheering for our favorite teams. They’re also an important part of a healthy community in a number of ways.
Larger sporting events contribute to the local economy, supporting our favorite independent businesses. Last year, the U.S. Open had 273,000 people atten
d in Pierce County, and a record 30% more than normal watched on TV, seeing our area, not flying fish in Seattle. Closer to home, the BMX Nationals held earlier this month just south of Sumner, brought in 633 participants and 2,123 spectators, generating an estimated 1,800 room nights in hotels and bringing $464,739 in spending to our area, in just one weekend. This week, our own City employees are hosting a golf tournament on their own time to raise money for the American Cancer Society through the City’s Relay for Life team.
As wonderful as that is, sports play an even more integral role in a community. They promote health, which is why I’m back to walking after I had a recent health scare. (Thank you for all the well wishes, by the way!) At another level, they also build community, naturally bringing diverse people together in ways that perhaps would not have happened otherwise. If you watch open gym at the Y, you’ll see a 60-year-old Boeing engineer playing volleyball with a high school sophomore. At Loyalty Park, I often see people from lots of diverse demographics — age, economic background, gender, religion and ethnicity — laughing and sharing the park together.
And finally, sports can be an avenue into greater success. The Sumner School District often talks about how our partnership with the Recreation Program gives kids who are otherwise struggling in school sports as an alternate way to succeed and fit in, helping them finish school and have a great future ahead. I’m really proud of the Rec Program partnership we’ve had with the School District and the City of Bonney Lake for 25 years, and I hope we see this same partnership continue for another 25 years–or more!
As you’re enjoying the height of summer – walking, swimming, biking and playing (or watching) baseball – you are building not only your own health, but that of our entire community.
