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Show The Salt Lake Tribune Thursday. October 15, 1981 W 1 1 Police Athletic League Offers Kids Rewarding Sports Program By Kurt Kidman Tribune Staff Writer When you think of the Police Athletic League, what comes to mind7 Juvenile delinquents beating up each other in a boxing ring" That is the old image, the new league is much more All you have to do is walk into the gym at 855 W California Ave and you realize the league has come a long way "Boxing has been the biggest part of our program, said assistant director Tom Greenwood, who is also a police officer, Boxing is a year round sport, and it is the one most people identify us with We are, however, branching out into new fields If we get enough kids Interested in a sport or activity, and an instructor that can teach it, we will try anything Started Branching Out The league started branching nut when their gym was completed about three years ago The gym has six basketball courts, a boxing ring, a weight room and shower facilities. In the future they are hoping to add tennis courts and racquetball courts The future does look much more promising for the league They recently were accepted as a foundation status" league, meaning donations that fund the league are now tax deductible. In the past we have lived on $2 and $3 donations. Greenwood said "Now we are hoping, because the donation is tax deductible, that we will get bigger and better donations. We feet the foundation status" will really help our program The league and all its facilities don't cost the kids a dime. It is open to anyone 17 or younger. There are a few police officers, like Greenwood, assigned to the league, but the rest of the instructors are policemen and social workers from various volunteer programs. Basketball Most Popular "Basketball is our most popular Greenwood said. "There program. are a lot of kids, possibly 250, that come out for basketball We also offer them flag football, track and field, boxing, and various tournaments like foosbaLl and checkers In the summer we also offer a summer lunch program for kids who may not usually eat lunch without school in progress." Throughout the year, and in the past, the league has offered programs such as karate, judo and wrestling "We try to keep some kind of activity going at all times, Greenwood said. "If we can keep a kid in an activity, like say basketball or boxing, it keeps the kid out of trouble. We have had some pretty encouraging success stories with kids who have had tendencies for trouble." The success the league is now off-dut- y Richard M. Lavulo works out on heavy punching bag as part of the boxing program enjoying was hardly hoped for in the bronze medal winner from Hungary in beginning Tho league has worked out the 1W0 Winter Olympics. We have also of small huildings, with no gyms most had some of our kids, like Ronny of its history Before the current gym, Romero, turn professional ." the league operated from a little Police athletic leagues started in the building in Liberty Park east and have slowly spread west In This gym is really nice We have the big cities in the east they are very never had anything like it," Greenwood popular said Now, places like Sacramento, San Gives Kids an Outlet Francisco and Albuquerque have Our league gives kids an outlet We started programs based on the success are set up for the kids to do what they of previous ones want. This year wre are even running an It isn't just for delinquent boxers any indoor soccer league," he said more. A kid u'ho would rather shoot a Boxing is still the big program when basketball than watch television is it comes to the police athletic league. welcome, and they feel comfortable. "We have a pretty good team," If a kid will just come in and talk to Greenwood said "One of our boxers, us, we will try anything," Greenwood Tony Montoya Jr., this year beat the said. football Indoor is available in new spacious facility. Photos by Ravel! Cal! And Paul Fraughton offered. Comity Equestrian Park The Horseman's Haven By Kurt Kidman Tribune Staff Writer The track does not be dormant in the winter Ever,- - Sunday starting the last week of November If you like racing, training or just riding horses, the Salt Lake Countv Equestrian Park is the place for vou. "We race whether it is snowing or not Sometimes we have run during a real blizzard," Mr. Parker said. there are chariot races Saturday and Sunday The park, owned and operated by the county, has almost everything for the person who has a horse 'There are lots people who use the park," said Hors Parker who has been operating it for the county for about seven years In the spring, which is our busy season, wc have several hundred horses down here every day from sunup to sundown ." of The park is open year all There is no charge to use the facilities, but there is a stall fee One of the big atlractions is the oval track. three-quarte- r mile racing here We have 20 days of quarter-hors- e rv$ry summer." Mr Parker said. We also have two days of thoroughbred racing in the summer In February the state chariot racing championships are held at the track, attracting the best chariot teams in the state three-tearaces the fist day and 37 races the second day. There are champions crowned in 12 divisions." said Mr. Parker. We have 48 four-tea- Besides the track there is an arena for equestrian riding events and also barrel racing in the summer. There are also horse shows for youngsters and riding club practices held at the facility. and Mr Parker's is a horsing family. His son is on a rodeo scholarship at Weber State College and his wife and daughter barrel race I really like horses," he said. "I have had horses that race, hut now Im mostly in rodeo. Jill Parker and Top Dog Jet practice barrel racing at park The county facility is open all year Reducing Accidents Deer Hunters Urged To Wear Orange There isnt a deer hunter today who is not familiar with hunter orange clothing. What hunters may not realize is just how effective the color is in reducing hunting accidents. Flourescent orange is the most easily seen color against a natural background The color does not put the hunter at a disadvantage since deer and other game mammals lack color vision Experience in Massachusetts, Maine, Pennsylvania and other states indicates that a state that requires hunters to wear some hunter orange will reduce its big game accidents by 50 percent. If a state goes a step beyond that and requires 500 or more square inches of hunter orange to be worn on the chest, head and back, accidents will be reduced 75 percent , She Worth th Wait at stable facility Jill Parker and 1ip Dog Jet take a break after & brisk workout |
