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Sterling Athletics Master Plan
Community Survey
The City of Sterling, Logan County, NECO Rec (Northeast Colorado Recreation Revitalization Initiative), Northeastern Junior College, and the RE-1 Valley School District are partnering on an Athletics Master Plan to guide future investment in sports and athletics facilities in our community.
This survey focuses specifically on athletics and competitive sports — not general parks or trails. Your answers will help us understand how athletics facilities and programs are used today, what is working, what is missing, and where you would like athletics in Sterling to go in the future.
The survey takes about 8–10 minutes. Your responses are anonymous and will be reported only in summary.
Thank you for helping shape the future of athletics in Sterling and Logan County!
PART 1 – ABOUT YOU
1.
Where do you live? (select one)
In the city of Sterling
Elsewhere in Logan County
Outside Logan County
2.
Which of the following describe you or members of your household? (select all that apply)
Parent / guardian of a youth athlete
Youth athlete (under 18)
Adult recreational athlete
Senior / older adult athlete
Coach
League, club, or program organizer
Official, referee, or volunteer
Community leader
Spectator / fan
NJC or school student athlete
Equine / rodeo participant
None of the above
3.
In which sports or athletic activities do you or members of your household currently participate (as an athlete, coach, or family member)? (select all that apply)
Baseball
Softball
Basketball
Volleyball
Sand / beach volleyball
Football
Soccer
Wrestling
Track & field
Cross country
Golf
Tennis
Pickleball
Racquetball
Swimming (team, lessons, or lap)
Water fitness / aquatic exercise
Cheer
Dance / gymnastics
Rodeo / equine (ranch horse, livestock judging)
eSports
Adult recreation leagues
Senior / older-adult fitness programs
Strength & conditioning / training
None of these
Other (please specify)
4.
Which Sterling area athletics organizations are you or your household involved with? (select all that apply)
Northeastern Junior College (NJC)
Sterling High School
Sterling Middle School
Caliche Schools
City of Sterling recreation programs (youth or adult)
Sterling Summer Swim Team / swim lessons
South Platte Youth Football League
Platte Valley Soccer League
Sterling Baseball Organization
Youth wrestling (e.g., Plains Elite Wrestling, Garcia Sports Training)
Ignite Athletics (cheer)
Dance / Gymnastic studios (Northeastern Dance Academy, Melissa's School of Dance, Country Gymnastics)
Private training / batting facilities (e.g., Garcia Sports Training, School of Reps)
Travel / club teams (softball, basketball, volleyball, swim)
Rodeo, equine, or livestock programs
Senior programs (Logan Heritage Center)
Other (please specify)
None of these
PART 2 – CURRENT FACILITIES & PARTICIPATION
5.
Which age group in your household has the greatest need for improved athletics facilities or programs? (select one)
Ages 0-5
Ages 6-12
Ages 13-18
Ages 19-34
Ages 35-54
Ages 55+
No preference
6.
Which of the following Sterling area athletics facilities do you or your household use? (select all that apply)
Pioneer Park (softball fields, tennis courts, cross country)
Sterling High School complex (football, track, baseball, gym)
Sterling Middle School complex (youth baseball, practice football, gym, soccer)
Campbell Elementary (gym, soccer fields)
Ayers Elementary (gym)
Caliche Elementary / High School (gym, football, baseball)
Sterling Recreation Center & Heritage Center (indoor/outdoor pools, tennis, pickleball, racquetball, weightlifting, senior programs)
NJC Event Center (gyms / courts, weightlifting, indoor track)
Plainsmen Park (NJC baseball & soccer)
Logan County Fairgrounds (indoor arena, race track, event centers)
Private gyms, training centers, or batting cages
Private golf courses (Riverview, Sky Ranch)
Other (please specify)
7.
How often does your household participate in organized athletics in Sterling?
Year-round, multiple times per week
Seasonally, multiple times per week
About once a week
A few times a month
Rarely or never
8.
Overall, how would you rate the current quality of Sterling’s athletic facilities?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
9.
Have you or members of your household ever been unable to participate, practice, or been turned away because of limited field, court, or pool time, space, or program availability in Sterling? (select one)
Yes, frequently
Yes, occasionally
No
Not sure
10.
Overall, how well do Sterling’s current athletics facilities meet your household’s needs? (select one)
Fully met (100%)
Mostly met (75%)
Half met (50%)
Slightly met (25%)
Not met (0%)
No current need
11.
For each type of athletics facility below, how well does Sterling meet your household's need today?
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Baseball fields
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Softball fields
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Multipurpose / soccer fields
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Football field(s) & track
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Indoor gymnasium / basketball & volleyball courts
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Indoor multi-use turf / field house
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Wrestling / mat space
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Outdoor courts (tennis, pickleball, basketball)
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Swimming pool (indoor / outdoor)
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Strength & conditioning / weightlifting space
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Dance / cheer / gymnastics space
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
Equine / rodeo arena & facilities
No need to use athletics facility at this time or in the future.
Need is fully met today
Need is partly met today, but not fully
Need is not met today
Not sure
12.
What are the biggest barriers that limit you or your household from participating in athletics in Sterling? (select all that apply)
Cost or registration fees
Limited field, court, or pool availability
Level of competition offered
Scheduling conflicts (available times don't work for us)
Facilities are too far / transportation
Facility quality or condition
Not enough programs for my age group
Limited options for girls and women
Limited options for athletes with disabilities
Lack of indoor or weather-protected space
No significant barriers
Other (please specify)
13.
How would you rate the following aspects of Sterling’s youth and community sports programs?
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Coaching quality
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Officiating / referees
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Level of competition
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Variety of programs and sports offered
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Youth to high school development pathway
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
Scheduling and communication
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Not sure
14.
What would most improve local sports programs in Sterling? (select up to three)
Better coaching / coach training
More and better trained officials
More competitive leagues and teams
More program variety / more sports offered
Stronger youth to high school development
More affordable fees
Better scheduling and communication
Other (please specify)
PART 3 – TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN & HOSTING EVENTS
15.
In the past 12 months, have you or members of your household traveled outside Sterling / Logan County to practice, compete in, or watch athletics? (select one)
Yes
No
Not sure
16.
If yes, which sports did you travel for? (select all that apply)
Baseball
Softball
Basketball
Volleyball
Sand / beach volleyball
Football
Soccer
Wrestling
Track & field
Cross country
Golf
Tennis
Pickleball
Racquetball
Swimming (team, lessons, or lap)
Water fitness / aquatic exercise
Cheer
Dance / gymnastics
Rodeo / equine (ranch horse, livestock judging)
eSports
Adult recreation leagues
Senior / older-adult fitness programs
Strength & conditioning / training
Other (please specify)
17.
About how often does your household travel out of town for athletics? (select one)
Weekly
A few times a month
About once a month
A few times a year
Rarely or never
18.
When attending tournaments or athletic events outside Sterling, how often do you or your family?
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Stay overnight in a hotel
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Eat at local restaurants
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Purchase fuel locally
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Shop at local restaurants
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
19.
How important is it to you that Sterling be able to host tournaments and competitive events locally?
Very important
Somewhat important
Not very important
Not at all important
20.
What do you think would most help Sterling host more tournaments and competitive events? (select up to three)
A consolidated complex with many fields or courts in one location
More full-size fields (baseball, softball, soccer, football)
A dedicated indoor court facility / field house
Synthetic turf for all-weather play and longer seasons
Better spectator amenities (seating, restrooms, concessions)
More and better parking
Improved field and court lighting
Upgraded aquatics for hosting swim meets
Better coordination and scheduling among facility owners
Nearby lodging and dining
Not sure
Other (please specify)
PART 4 – PRIORITIES, INVESTMENT, & DIRECTION
21.
How supportive would you be of each of the following actions to improve athletics in Sterling?
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Renovate and upgrade existing athletics facilities
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Build new outdoor athletics fields (baseball, softball, soccer, football)
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Build new outdoor courts (basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc.)
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Build a new indoor court facility / field house
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Develop a tournament-capable athletics complex to attract regional events
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Improve and expand indoor and outdoor aquatics
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Improve spectator amenities (seating, restrooms, concessions, parking, lighting)
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Expand senior and older-adult athletics
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Support equine / rodeo and fairgrounds athletic events
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Increase maintenance of existing athletics facilities
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Expand programs, leagues, and staffing
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
Improve wrestling, dance, cheer, and training spaces
Very supported
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
22.
Of the actions listed above, which THREE are most important to you? (select up to three)
Renovate and upgrade existing athletics facilities
Build new outdoor athletics fields (baseball, softball, soccer, football)
Build new outdoor courts (basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc.)
Build a new indoor court facility / field house
Develop a tournament-capable athletics complex to attract regional events
Improve and expand indoor and outdoor aquatics
Improve spectator amenities (seating, restrooms, concessions, parking, lighting)
Expand senior and older-adult athletics
Support equine / rodeo and fairgrounds athletic events
Increase maintenance of existing athletics facilities
Expand programs, leagues, and staffing
Improve wrestling, dance, cheer, and training spaces
23.
If Sterling invests in new or improved athletics facilities, which approach do you prefer? (select one)
Renovate and expand existing facilities and sites
Develop a new athletics complex on city- or county-owned land
A combination of both
No preference
Not sure
24.
How supportive would you be of public investment – such as a bond, tax, or dedicated funding – to improve athletics facilities in Sterling? (select one)
Very supportive
Somewhat supportive
Not sure
Not supportive
25.
Would you be willing to help support local athletics in any of the following ways? (select all that apply)
As a coach or assistant coach
As an official, referee, or umpire
As a board or committee member
As an event or tournament volunteer
I’d like to help but am not sure how
Not at this time
26.
If you would like to help volunteer or receive updates about the Athletics Master Plan, please share your name and email? (optional)
27.
Thinking about YOUTH athletics specifically, what would most help keep local kids playing sports in Sterling?
28.
What athletics facilities, programs, or events are missing in Sterling that you currently leave town to find?
29.
Any other comments about athletics in Sterling and where you would like to see it go?
PART 5 – ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD & ATHLETES (OPTIONAL)
These optional questions help us understand who plays and ensure we hear from the whole community. All responses are confidential.
30.
Which age groups in your household have someone who participates in organized sports or athletics? Select all that apply.
Under 5
5–12
13–17
18–64
65+
No one in my household
31.
Which of the following best describes your race? (select all that apply)
White / Caucasian
Black / African American
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian / Pacific Islander
Hispanic / Latino
Prefer not to say
Other
32.
What is your household income? (select one)
Under $25,000
$25,000–$49,999
$50,000–$74,999
$75,000–$124,999
Over $125,000
Prefer not to say
33.
What is your home zip code? (optional)
Thank you for your input!
