KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Walsh met Tuesday night with citizens to discuss a sports program in jeopardy.
The Center City Youth Sports Program gives impoverished children the chance to play sports free of charge.
City officials say their goal is to work with the program's board of directors on funding cuts that may require parents to pay a small fee.
The program's supporters, including coaches from other area programs, say they will do whatever it takes to make sure the program survives.
"We're not going to let it end this way, said a parent, Ladawna Agnew. "We're going to fight for what's right."
"It's not the kids' fault," said Maurice Clark, of the East Knoxville Athletic Association. "It's just the economic background that they happen to grow up in, and some of these housing projects. The city needs to step up and do whatever it can to provide, be it transportation or financial help with the fees or whatever it is."
"Find the money," Clark added. "Let's just make it happen. I'm a taxpayer. Raise taxes half a cent to make it happen."
Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Walsh talks to supports of the Center City Youth Sports Program.
"We're not going to let it end this way, said a parent, Ladawna Agnew.
"It's not the kids' fault," said Maurice Clark, of the East Knoxville Athletic Association
