Kent County Regional Sports Complex ‘a full go’

FREDERICA — After years of successfully maneuvering through a series of obstacles and hurdles, Kent County Regional Sports Complex backers made their biggest moves yet in the past few days.
After a nationwide search that attracted 85 candidates, former Philadelphia Union Vice President Rob Smith was chosen to become KCRSC’s permanent executive director and move the project forward.
The Oct. 15 announcement coincided with news that Lincoln-based Richard Y. Johnson & Sons Inc. was the lowest bidding contractor for the project. The bid came in below budget.
Acting Executive Director Shelly Cecchett said “the project is a full go as result of their outstanding bid” and noted that three other “excellent” contractors were under bid and fully capable of building the facility.
“We are thrilled with the continued interest in the Kent County Regional Sports Complex and are eager to see this economic engine come to fruition,” Ms. Cecchett said.
KCRSC officials will meet with Richard Y. Johnson & Sons representatives next week to determine construction details and dates, Ms. Cecchett said. Earlier, organizers expressed hope in beginning play at the facility to be known as “DE Turf” on Columbus Day weekend 2016.
Mr. Smith, 55, will oversee all operations at the upcoming 85-acre, 12-field artificial turf facility to be located in Frederica next to Del. 1. “DE Turf” could bring up to $30 million annually in economic impact to central Delaware, organizers said, and create “a home for scores of youth through professional clubs to train and compete.”
“We are thrilled to have such an accomplished professional as Rob to lead this important project that will have a significant economic and recreational impact on our region,” said Bill Strickland, president of Kent County Regional Sports Complex Board of Directors.
Before joining the KCRSC venture, Mr. Smith was vice president of soccer development and community relations with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, where he oversaw the development and execution of revenue generating youth programs in the Greater Philadelphia region, according to a news release.
‘Eager to join’
In seven years with the Union, officials said, Mr. Smith also managed the club’s marketing rights with state youth organizations in eastern Pennsylvania and in Delaware and oversaw all on-field game day operations.
Additionally, Mr. Smith worked in regional operations, sales and marketing roles with Nike and Nike Soccer and was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania youth soccer powerhouse, FC DELCO.
“I am very excited and eager to join the DE Turf team,” Mr. Smith said in a news release. “I believe each of us brings our collective experiences to every stop along our journey.
“In order to ensure the Kent County Regional Sports Complex serves our residents and those who visit our premier facility, I embrace the challenge to draw on what I’ve learned over the years, to create a great venue with exceptional programs for all to enjoy.”
On Thursday morning, Mr. Smith said he would remain involved in other ventures, all with potential avenues toward becoming connected with the KCRSC.
“I will continue to stay in contact with the Philadelphia Union since there are synergies there that could be mutually beneficial and directly impact the future success of the Kent County Regional Sports Complex,” he said.
Mr. Smith said he’ll take a two-pronged approach in his first days as executive director — making sure the KCRSC construction begins as soon as possible while simultaneously circulating among the sports community locally and throughout the state.
“People are excited about the project and now is the perfect time to meet with them and have them share their ideas of what they would like to see and what is needed,” Mr. Smith said.
Sales and marketing
Hiring full- and part-time staff will be determined by the progress of the complex construction and scheduling of events coming its way through sales and marketing. Mr. Smith was an early part of the United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and has five years of development experience with Nike, and is seeking similarly experienced sports specific marketing and sales staff members, saying, “There are a lot of moving parts.”
“I love the potential of this and accept the challenge,” he said. “I love to build things and see them come to reality …“I know the challenges ahead and have some business resources and colleagues whom I will be able to reach out to and bounce ideas off them.”
Ultimately, Mr. Smith said, the chief goal is to bring a significant economic impact to the area, along with providing local athletes opportunities to take part in an ample amount of quality sporting events and activities.
Already, Mr. Smith said, regional soccer and lacrosse entities have reached out regarding becoming involved with the KCRSC. He said he has reached out to national connections and envisions an event “that could raise eyebrows” within two to three years.
Before that, Mr. Smith said, a series of smaller scale national-related events and activities will build momentum for “DE Turf” participation, along with building local and regional support. Besides soccer events, Mr. Smith said he’ll search through a wide array of athletic ventures, including perhaps field hockey, lacrosse, flag football and local sports organizations, among others.
“This facility and its location is central to a lot of what happens regionally,” Mr. Smith said.
When DE Turf hits its stride, multi-year contracts with organizations for scheduled events and activities will add to the long-term stability of the facility, Mr. Smith said.
Church arsonists facing 29 years behind bars

DOVER — Two Kent County men are facing up to 29 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday morning in a felony arson case involving three rural churches that burned in the Felton area last December.
Co-defendants Joseph T. Skochelak, 26, of Felton, and Alex J. Harrington Jr., 27, of Frederica, each pleaded to three counts of second-degree arson, second-degree conspiracy and third-degree burglary in Kent County Superior Court.
A pre-sentence investigation was ordered by Resident Judge William L. Witham Jr., and sentencing scheduled for June 23.
The case revolved around three overnight fires on Dec. 2 at Healing Hands Christian Church in the 500 block of Berrytown Road, Laws Mennonite Church on Carpenter Bridge Road and Manship Chapel in the 4900 block of Burnite Mill Road. Also involved was a burglary at St. James Union AME Church in the 4000 block of Andrews Lake Road.
Dressed in Delaware Department of Correction prisoner clothes, escorted by guards and shackled at the ankles, Skochelak and Harrington entered pleas separately during a 15-minute process attended by leaders of Laws Mennonite Church, Manship Chapel and St. James Union AME Church.
Afterward, a woman fighting back tears and identifying herself as Skochelak’s mother went to four church members gathered outside the courtroom and offered an apology before exchanging emotional hugs with them.
“God is all about forgiveness,” Laws Mennonite Head Elder Josh Slabaugh said to the woman. “We forgive him.”
The woman followed with, “Thank God no one was hurt.”
The woman said she attended the proceeding, “Just to let (my son) know I’m there for him … and to say I’m sorry.”
Said St. James Union AME Church pastor Harvey Sparkman: “It shows her remorse. However, parents aren’t responsible for (the actions of) their children.”
After she left, Manship’s pastor Bruce Tribbitt said he would pray for the woman and described her as a victim as well.
Regarding the two men who pleaded guilty, the pastor said:
“We would like these gentlemen to get their lives together and have Jesus Christ transform their lives.”
Mr. Tribbitt said in the days following the fires, his congregation was affected by “a level of fear until they got caught. We were concerned they could come back to finish the job.”
Mr. Slabaugh said, “We recognize that the state’s job is to determine justice that’s for the good of the public. The church’s job is to show mercy …”
Also attending was Dale Jones, a Laws Mennonite board of trustees member.
The co-defendants also were ordered to pay restitution and have no contact with all victims, which Judge Witham described as the churches.
“Fines may be imposed at the court’s discretion,” Judge Witham said.
Deputy Attorney General Marie Graham said the state did not plan to prosecute the remaining counts in the indictment — two counts each of third-degree burglary and second-degree conspiracy.
21dsn Felton Churches Damaged 003She declined comment afterward, citing pending sentencing.
After earlier pleading not guilty, the co-defendants entered into plea negotiations announced at a Final Case Review last Wednesday.
When distributing a news release about the fires in December, the Delaware Fire Marshal’s office estimated that Healing Hands sustained $75,000 in damage, Laws Mennonite sustained $10,000 and Manship Chapel $1,000.
Healing Hands update
As the small congregation of about 30 members at Healing Hands Christian Church waits for a new home of worship, it has moved to Felton-Viola United Methodist Church temporarily.
Members are raising money to build another church and searching for a location while conducting services at the nearby church since early December, pastor Wilbert Moorer said earlier this month.
Help has poured in from other organizations, and things are progressing well, according to Mr. Moorer.
Although the site that burned down was not insured because of its age, Mr. Moorer does not anticipate trouble in raising funds for a new church. Despite some setbacks, he is confident he’ll find a suitable location, hopefully nearby, and has one spot off U.S. 13 in mind.
Although the church — which was founded in 2002 by Mr. Moorer — serves a small roster of people, members made a big impact in the pastor’s eye.
“We were powerful in spirit,” he said. “I believe that’s why the devil recognized us.
“He doesn’t care how many members go in the church. He cares how many members go out of the church and make an impact in the community. We were making a mark and he doesn’t like changes.”
Despite the loss of the building, the pastor said he has forgiven the two men who pleaded guilty to the arsons.
In fact, he said he and other members would welcome the duo should they be interested in rebuilding the church and attending service at Healing Hands. That strikes the pastor as a particularly fitting fate.
“God’s word is our instructor for right living. He never instructed us to do nothing but live like himself,” he said, touting the philosophy of turning the other cheek.