It appears as though the Palmerton High School girls' soccer program will play their home games this fall at the Seventh Street field.

Andrew Remsing, athletic director, informed the school board at a committee workshop on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association previously decided to move the girls soccer season to the fall statewide.Based on a survey conducted earlier this month, Remsing said 21 girls indicated they would want to play soccer, compared to 12 who expressed their interest in a survey back in August.As for field hockey, Remsing said 26 girls indicated in the more recent survey that they would like to play field hockey, compared to 27 back in August.Remsing said he believes the Seventh Street field could easily accommodate a regulation soccer field, and added that the current stadium cannot handle the proposed nine to 12 games.The Booster Club would still use the field on Sundays, he said. Under that scenario, Remsing noted that the district would have to hire a part-time trainer to cover soccer at the Seventh Street field.That would enable the district to keep all the sports programs intact, said Remsing, who added the Seventh Street field would host soccer games.Director Susan Debski again inquired about the possibility of offering volleyball as a sport.But, Remsing told Debski he didn't believe that would be a feasible option for the district.Resident Michelle Allen said she believes field space is an issue that has plagued the district for some time."I don't think it should be field hockey versus soccer," Allen said. "Have we seriously looked at creating field space."Board President Barry Scherer quickly dispelled that notion.Superintendent Carol Boyce said the district was in the process of creating a long-term facilities plan."We need to incorporate the athletic fields, take a look at our structures, see what we need, make a list, and move forward," Boyce said. "If we do see some grant money, it really needs to be for a large facilities study."The majority of the board appeared to be in favor of such a facilities plan.Director Tammy Recker said "I think this board is looking to give the same opportunity to everybody."