Football is headed back to Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Field.
Borough council approved a yearlong lease for River Valley Forge Youth Football and Cheer Organization at its Tuesday meeting.
The organization offers tackle and flag football as well as cheerleading programs for 5-to-12-year-olds in the Allegheny Valley and Riverview school districts, according to board President Katie Meade.
Meade, an Oakmont resident, said the organization seeks to fill a gap in local youth sports.
“We just found there was a vacant spot for football and cheer in our districts,” she said.
And as it happened, there was a vacancy at Vets Field, too.
The field has been unused since 2023 after unsuccessful lease negotiations between the borough and Allegheny Valley School District, which played its home football games at the site for more than 80 years.
Allegheny Valley completed a new turf field near Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School earlier this year to serve as a home field for its football, soccer, and track and field teams.
But Springdale Councilman Joe Kern said he thinks the lease could be a benefit to both the borough and the district.
He said he plans to reach out to district officials in an effort to get local kids involved in River Valley Forge, which he hopes can serve as a pipeline for the high school’s football program.
“I think it’s very important to get our kids outside and active,” Kern said.
Incorporated as a nonprofit earlier this year, the organization has already seen about 50 kids registered for its various leagues, which include flag football for 5- and 6-year-olds, 8U, 10U and 12U tackle programs and its youth cheer league, Meade said.
The league will be the latest addition to Northern 28 Youth Football League, which also includes teams from Deer Lakes, Ford City, Freeport, Hampton, Highlands and Saxonburg.
River Valley Forge will share the site with the Lower Valley Little League, which will play its baseball and softball games on the baseball diamond opposite the field’s gridiron, Kern said.
As the league ramps up in its first year, Kern said, its lease will only be for $1.
Springdale will mow the grass at the field, but the organization would be responsible for the rest of the the facility’s upkeep, he said.
Kern said the lease means Vets Field is “at capacity,” and likely won’t be able accept any more tenants, which he said was a positive step.
“My whole goal is to bring stuff back to the town,” he said.
Meade said she was thankful to the borough and Kern for their help finding the league a home.
At this point, she said River Valley Forge is still searching for sponsors and coaches.
Registration for youth athletes ends June 7, and the season will kick off in early July, she said.
Those seeking more information can find it on the organization’s Facebook page.
