BUTLER TWP — One game is offered, but the Butler Lil Tornados want more.

The traveling football organization, which has 80 players ages 8 to 12 and three teams, recently petitioned the Butler School Board for permission to use Art Bernardi Stadium for four home dates.

The request was for the Lil Tornados’ three teams to host games on the artificial turf Aug. 27, Sept. 3, Sept. 10 and Sept. 24.

That request was denied by Superintendent Ed Fink and the district administration.

“We offered the Lil Tornados one home date at the stadium because that’s consistent with what we’ve offered other organizations,” Fink said. “We want to be as fair as possible with everyone.”

But Bill Halle, president of the Lil Tornados, said the district’s solution is unsatisfactory.

The district is offering the Lil Tornados the use of the downtown athletic field, which has been used for youth soccer and lacrosse. The Butler Area Midget Football League has used the field at Butler Memorial Park for years.

“That field is not conducive for football,” Halle said of the downtown facility. “There’s not adequate parking, there’s no scoreboard or goalposts, and the entire field would have to be lined.

“I’m so perplexed that this district won’t allow that stadium to be used by kids. We’re not requesting exclusive use of the field. The midget league should be able to use it, too.”

Four years ago, the midget league requested the use of Bernardi Stadium for its entire 60-game schedule. The district denied that bid, but the youth league’s championship game has since been played there annually.

Butler’s youth lacrosse association also requested use of the stadium for its 45-game schedule. Each team in that association was awarded one home game at the facility.

“As soon as we grant complete use of the facility to one organization, others will demand the same treatment,” Fink said. “Where do we draw the line?

“Yes, they pay taxes. We all pay taxes. I pay taxes, too, but can I go into the tax office and demand use of their board room? It doesn’t work that way.”

The second-year Butler County Bears semi-pro football team requested Bernardi Stadium for its five home games this summer and it was refused.

The Bears last summer played home games at the Karns City High School stadium, but that playing surface is being upgraded this summer and will not be available.

Bears coach and owner Kirk Bergbigler said, “I’m meeting with Seneca Valley about possible use of their stadium, but Butler is our first choice. We were told the Butler Stealth Track Club uses the stadium in the summer and the new high school coach wants it available for his players.

“We’re willing to bend here. We recognize the high school teams get priority. If they want the facility at night, we’ll play during the day. If they want it in the daytime, we’ll play at night.”

Fink said the Bears have been initially denied because of feared conflict with the high school team.

“I told (Bergbigler) that if he has a different, more flexible proposal to submit it in writing. I haven’t received that submission,” Fink said.

Parents of Lil Tornado players plus representatives of the Butler County Bears plan to attend the school board meeting on March 21.

“We didn’t want to turn this into a fight, but I guess we have one,” Halle said.

Halle drafted a letter to board President Linda Patten requesting the March 21 meeting be moved to a larger venue to handle the anticipated crowd.

“As of now, that meeting is still scheduled for our administration building,” Fink said.

School board member Ben Holland said community athletic organizations outside of the high school should be permitted to use the school’s facilities whenever possible.

“I do think we need to change our thinking that way,” Holland said. “Those youth football players will hopefully be playing for the high school team one day. We should support them and become more community minded.

“Driving through other school districts during the summer, I notice their athletic facilities being used. Ours sit empty. That’s a bit of a waste.”