Central Islip PAL welcomes new multipurpose sports field

Horace Mickle has been coaching Suffolk Police Athletic League football for 25 years, and now he says he can finally retire: Central Islip PAL has a true home field.

League leaders, coaches and players, joined by Town of Islip officials, celebrated the opening of a multipurpose sports field Saturday.

About 120 kids marched in the rain three blocks from their borrowed fields at an elementary school to the new Clayton Street complex -- complete with bleachers, ample parking, a playground and paved walking trails that will eventually connect to a town park.

"We should have our own field, and we've never had that," Mickle said. "So it's a good thing that this happened."

The joint effort for the town, police department and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation cost $819,000, according to development director Donald Yorie.

The field will allow Central Islip PAL to offer new sports such as soccer and lacrosse, and other programs. Kids from preschool through high school can participate.

Negotiations to build the field started between PAL and the town in 2009, Islip Councilman Steven Flotteron said. A planned addition -- an adjacent soccer field -- is expected to be ready in the spring, he said.

Now in its 41st year, Suffolk PAL still has the same goal.

"It's to provide opportunities for kids to grow into responsible adults by providing sports, recreational and educational activities," said Det. Lt. Robert Donohue of the Suffolk Police Community Response Bureau.

Officer Edward Groce, who runs the Central Islip PAL, said more than 4,000 kids have signed up.

One of them is Jason Pickens, a 9-year-old football player who said he's excited about the new field, especially the bleachers. They're big enough to seat all his fans, including his parents and uncle.

"I'm excited to play the next game," Jason said.

He won't have to wait long to break in the new grass turf. The first football games were scheduled for Sunday.