Youth sports leagues in Monroe County’s West End won’t have to search for fields to play on any longer.

After hearing from numerous parents and a league president Thursday night, Pleasant Valley School District’s board of directors unanimously voted to open its fields to nondistrict athletic practices and contests.

Like many districts, Pleasant Valley closed its fields to outside groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, but West End Soccer League President Christine Erhardt urged the board to end that stance.

“You need to release these fields to these kids,” Erhardt told the board prior to its decision. “These kids are all children in your school that you are having go to school five days a week. We charge parents the absolute minimal to run these organizations, but we had to raise prices so we can accommodate them on off-site properties. If you don’t allow these leagues to come back, it will hurt the middle school and high school sports programs down the road because these kids won’t come back to these sports at all.”

Leia Leuthardt said her son wrestled throughout the pandemic.

“There were no masks, no social distancing and nobody got sick,” Leuthardt said. “Do you think we’re keeping them away from each other when we’re home? My family didn’t. We never stopped being social and playing with other families in the park. My kids needed that and they need (Christine’s) soccer program, wrestling and other activities.”

Polk Township resident Adrienne Fors said her family had to find a new league and pay “top dollar” for her children to participate in soccer this year.

“None of the kids are getting sick,” Fors said. “The kids who would be playing in the West End Soccer League are coming to school every day and sitting next to each other.”

After conferring with district solicitor Mark Fitzgerald, Pleasant Valley Superintendent Dr. Lee Lesisko said he was fine with opening the fields for use.

“We have to follow state Department of Health and U.S. Center for Disease Control guidelines,” Lesisko said. “We do not want to spread COVID-19 through sports.”

Erhardt said the West End Soccer League will do whatever it needs to in order to comply with the district’s protocol to use the fields.

“We’ll wear masks and take temperatures at games,” she said. “I’ll make sure thermometers are purchased for every coach. We want to work with the district so these fields are available to children.”