Dear KAA Managers/Coaches/Families/Supporters,

     Unless you've been in a cave, or out of town, you no doubt have heard about the historic flooding along the Meramec, and throughout our region, the last week of December of 2015. As I prepare this letter, we are still waiting for the Meramec to reach its crest, but the damage is already extensive.

     While no one EVER wants this kind of disaster, the silver lining to all of this is that it occurred in December, instead of April or May. I have been in daily, and sometimes hourly, communication with our office manager, Gretchen, our facilties and field gurus, Mike and Craig, as well as our board members, to discuss our situation and to begin planning for our recovery.

     If we've learned anything over the years, it's how to recover from a flood. Given our past experiences, I am supremely confident in our ability to recover from this flood and emerge a better park then we were before the flood. Once the water recedes, we will re-enter the park and assess our needs, so that we will be up and running as soon as possible. LET ME ASSURE YOU, WE WILL PLAY BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL AT KAA IN 2016.

     My goal is to be ready to play in time for opening day, Saturday, March 26, 2016. We may not be fully operational on that day, but we will make every effort to play ball. To reach that goal, however, we will need your help.

     Over the next 3 months we will need everyone's time, talent and resources to get the park back up and functioning. I have been approached by numerous people over the last few days expressing their concern and asking how they can help. First, let me say "thank you" for your concern, and second, let me say "stayed tuned" for the offers of assistance.

     As we evaluate our situation, either Gretchen, or I, will be communicating with our KAA families and community about our specific needs over the next several weeks and months. We will try to provide updates and specific requests for resources through both our website and email "blasts" from Gretchen, so keep checking the website for the latest information.

     Again, with this "event" occurring in December, we do have time on our side. We also have more experience than any other youth sports organization as to how to recover from a park wide flood, even one of this magnitude.

     It will take time, but we will get through this together and one day, your children will be able to tell their children about the great flood of 2015!

     Anyone with questions can call the office number or reach us through our website, Facebook or Twitter.

Sincerely,

Eric Eickmeyer
President, Kirkwood Athletic Association