Town of Windham receives offer from Windham Youth soccer Association - By Michelle Libby

Windham Youth Soccer representatives attended the Windham Town Council workshop Tuesday
night to present an offer of $80,000 to purchase the land the town recently acquired from the Portland Water District at Gambo Fields. 

For 38 years, WYSA has been running soccer programs at the field and spending between $25,000 and $30,000 per year for maintenance and upkeep of the property. 

The councilors agreed that WYSA had put a lot of time and money into the land, but were hesitant to hand the property over to them, suggesting a five year lease with the option of first refusal should the town want to sell it. 

“It’s a gem for the town. I wouldn’t give it up. We don’t own any fields,” said Dave Nadeau. 

Donna Chapman broached the question of if the town can maintain those fields on top of what they already have. “I don’t see us taking care of it the way it should be,” she added. 

“It’s a great facility. They put the money in and they did the work,” one council member said. 

WSYA representatives acknowledged the partnership with the town for as long as they’re had it, but are also concerned about putting more money into something they don’t own or have a say over. With 800 youths serviced by the WYSA program, they are looking to expand and invest more in infrastructure at the site. 

“For use to keep maintaining it for five years at $150,000 to $250,000 for something that could be taken away don’t make sense for us,” said Dan Hancock. 

Next week, the town council will put forth a proposal for a vote. At the time of press, there was no word on what the exact proposal would be.