[Some of the analysis in this article was based on an incorrect assumption about how Johnson County Parks and Rec inflated the number of soccer players in Johnson County. JCPRD inflated them a different way. Visit this webpage to see the updated information: Disappearing kids, Round 2.]

What suddenly happened to the "approximately 46,000 youth between the ages of 4 and 18" that Johnson County Parks and Recreation assured us NEED the new 24 soccer fields? As recently as a few weeks ago this 46,000 number was touted on Johnson County Parks & Rec website. (See the before and after statements below.)

This number has suddenly disappeared--vanished--on the Parks and Recreation website "Frequently Asked Questions"--replaced by "thousands of youth between the ages of 4 and 18 who already enjoy the benefits of soccer in Johnson County". So instead of acknowledging they made a mistake and putting in a correction, they are glossing over it.

It is now clear that faulty data was used to get to these figures.

[Update: The following analysis of how the numbers were inflated is incorrect. They were inflated a different way. See article Disappearing kids, Round 2 to see the actual mistake made by Johnson County]. That 46,000 was for the entire state of Kansas and the Kansas City metro area, instead of just for Johnson County as Parks and Rec officials have been touting at their public events and interviews. Were they thinking they would be serving 46,000 soccer kids when they decided to move forward with this plan? Taxpayers will soon be asked to vote on soccer fields that will cost $120 million dollars over 20 years. Why isn't there a call for independent auditors to look at this project?

Where The 46,000 Number Came From

Why did the 46,000 Johnson County soccer kids suddenly disappear? Because they weren't there to begin with. Pages numbered 10 and 11 of The 2005 Feasibility Study that supports this project, reports that KSYSA (Kansas State Youth Soccer Association) for the entire state of Kansas, had a membership of 30,355. The study also mentions that unsanctioned soccer clubs "account for over 16,000 soccer participants in the Kansas City area alone" (note--this is the ENTIRE Kansas City area, not just Johnson County). When you add 30,355 to 16,000 you get 46,000+ --the number that first appeared on Johnson County Parks and Rec website in their "Questions & Answers" Area soccer clubs posted this data far and wide and much publicity was given using this 46,000 figures.

Now this 46,000 number has disappeared, because it was not true.

NeighborhoodNet and Other Community Groups Force This Second Major Correction

Area groups challenged the 46,000 number after community members reported that during soccer field analysis "registration data" is often counted instead of actual youth participants. One soccer kid can register for multiple events. Also, the 46,000 number simply did not add up. Heartland Soccer Association is the big association for Johnson County; it has 11,000 members and is made up of 6 area teams throughout Johnson County: Blue Valley Soccer Club; Olathe Soccer Club; Overland Park Soccer Club; NE Soccer Club; SW United Soccer Club; and KS Premier Soccer League. There are a few other clubs, such as Shawnee Soccer Club, but nothing that would cause numbers to go as high as 46,000.

NeighborhoodNet repeatedly questioned the Parks and Rec Department about the number. In one interview on October 2, NeighborhoodNet received assurance that a response would be forthcoming shortly. NeighborhoodNet immediately emailed a summary of the conversation and the promise. The next afternoon came the response to the email, "... will try to get to them this afternoon." No further explanation came, but the next day the 46,000 number disappeared from the Parks and Rec website.

This is similar to what happened when NeighborhoodNet repeatedly requested Parks and Rec to justify its estimate of $36 million in revenues generated by the soccer fields. Suddenly, their website dropped the figure to $24 million. See 9/23/2006 - Parks & Rec Lowers Soccer Field Benefits: Still Publishes Other Incorrect Information

What IS The Basis For The Soccer Park Proposal?

The bigger question needs to be asked: Was the planning for these soccer fields based on statewide and Kansas City metro need or just need in Johnson County? If the 46,000 figure was used, then Johnson County taxpayers need to be asking: What other data is wrong?

There should be an immediate independent audit of all of this data--with area groups actively involved.

--Reported by Shirley & Bob Phillips for NeighborhoodNet (www.nbrhd.net)

Statements Before and After:

*Before: "Questions & Answers" Statement on Johnson County Parks and Recreation website as recent as Sept 20, 2006:

Question: Why Does Johnson County need additional soccer fields?

". . .to be able to accommodate the growing needs of approximately 46,000 youth between the ages of 4 and 18 who already enjoy the benefits of soccer in Johnson County, a minimum of 20 fields must be constructed as soon as possible."

*After: Revised Statement by Johnson County Parks and Recreation:

"To be able to accommodate the growing needs of thousands [Ed: underline added] of youth between the ages of 4 and 18 who already enjoy the benefits of soccer in Johnson County, a minimum of 20 additional fields has been recommended." "