Grant Griffin, executive director of KPVCB, Anne Blair of the Public Facilities District, Commissioner Jan Angel and others recognized the need for the promotion of sports on the peninsula and over a couple of years of collaborated planning the Kitsap Sports Council was born.

We sat down with Pecora to get a better feel for what has been going on in the past six months since he started.

KPBJ: What have you been doing since taking over in August?

Pecora: “Name it! I’ve been working tirelessly meeting user groups at all levels of peninsula sports as well as community and political leaders, essential to rapidly growing the profile and funding of the Sports Council. Some may say I’ve been doing too much, trying to be in too many places at once — but that’s a criticism I’ll take right now — there is a big, important job to do and as a one-man band, I get to make some noise, if you know what I mean.”

KPBJ: Please explain.

Pecora: “I’ve also been assisting numerous groups with strategy, marketing, promotion and fundraising — as well as developing new events that will benefit Kitsap businesses, facilities and citizens.”

“Most importantly, has been the work to solidify funding so that we can truly grow the council. Special thanks go to our county commissioners who last month approved appropriation of hotel/motel dollars — that are purely reserved for tourism and tourist development – for use by the Sports Council.”

KPBJ: What is cooking for the rest of 2007 and into 2008?

Pecora: “We are solidifying at least three and as many as five large- to medium-scale events that will affect the whole of the peninsula and its businesses and citizenry. As we speak, details are being finalized, so a certain degree of discretion regarding specific announcements is in order. All I can say is that the events will be beneficial to many sectors of the community and appealing to a very wide demographic range — stay tuned!”

KPBJ: Why does Kitsap County need a sports council?

Pecora: “The Sports Council and sports at all levels, especially here in Kitsap, are apolitical and appeal to every segment of our population. Therefore, we can build communities and businesses through this highly worthwhile endeavor. The Sports Council is a consolidating force, able to bring a wide range of interests together in the name of positive community development. Plus, we’re already having a tremendous effect of pure economic development (over $1.6 million trackable dollars brought to the Kitsap Peninsula directly attributable to sports and our outreach efforts in 2006).”

KPBJ: What do you need from the public or private sectors in Kitsap to help the Kitsap Sports Council?

Pecora: “Funding! I am launching the first-ever Corporate Partnership Program on behalf of the council, in which businesses will have a role in planning, implementation and the attendant efficiencies that come with the consolidation of marketing and outreach dollars. Essentially by supporting the council, your firm is at the center of sports in Kitsap and will have a presence within all things sports on the peninsula. This equals tremendous reach at a fraction of the cost of individually sponsoring single events. Plus we add the leadership component.”

KPBJ: How do you feel it is going so far?

Pecora: “We are on the verge of a tremendous opportunity with sports and community development via sports on the peninsula and I am most grateful for the opportunity to lead this effort. We have made tremendous strides in only a few months and this will only continue.”.