After several years of searching, the Upper Perk Mohawks Youth Football & Cheer has found a home. Earlier this week, the organization began practicing for the upcoming season at its new multi-purpose facility at a at a park on 8^th Street in Pennsburg.

            Later this fall, donated lights will be mounted on existing poles s at the borough-owned property, located behind Tosco's and next to a softball field.

            "We are going to have our own facility," said Sean O'Donnell, president of the organization.

            He said it hopes to dedicate the lights to the municipality.

            The Mohawks will not be charged to utilize the field, according to Mayor Vicki Lightcap. She said the organization will eventually have access to a game field as well as additional practice fields.

            According to O'Donnell, representatives from the Mohawks – which serves children from kindergarten to sixth grade – approached council two years ago about utilizing the fields.

            "I tip my hat the council and the mayor," O'Donnell said last Saturday during the organization's Second Annual Pep Rally at the New Goshenhoppen Park in East Greenville.

            Initially, municipal officials identified issues related to water management and parking in a nearby alley. Both are being resolved, according to Lightcap.

            "The Mohawks jumped on both of those issues right away," she said.

            Access to the property and the lights will allow the Mohawks to save approximately $5,000 annually, according to Treasurer Daryl Mensch. He said that is the amount the organization pays the Upper Perkiomen School District each year to rent lights and hold practices for its multiple youth teams at the high school.

            O'Donnell said the savings will allow the Mohawks to purchase much needed equipment. On Aug. 1, he told Pennsburg council that it recently purchased a 700-pound youth blocking sled necessary to develop team continuity.

            The parcel that will eventually be used as a game field needs to be graded and leveled, according to O'Donnell. He said the other fields are ready for practice.

            The lights, donated by a contractor located outside the Upper Perkiomen Valley, will be angled to limit intrusion on neighboring properties, according to Lightcap. She said the teams and players must be off the field by 8 p.m.

            The Mohawks, who have dedicated their season to all emergency responders, expect to continue paying their home games at the high school this season, according to O'Donnell. He said the plan is to begin playing at new facility in 2018.

            Last year, nearly 200 football players and cheerleaders participated in the program, according to O'Donnell.