City youth football team wants answers

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Buffalo youth football team is asking: Where is the money promised to them for repairs on their concession stand?

News 4's Anthony Congi dug deeper for some answers.

With leaking roofs, drip spots, mold, and paint coming off, this doesn't seem like a building anyone should be in..let alone working out of. But that's exactly what it looks like inside a concession stand of a youth football program.

Buffalo Vets President Greg Hughes says, "This concession stand supports our organization. With Uniforms, trips we take the kids on, equipment,  and we can't do none of that. When it rains here, things become even more difficult. In preparation of the weekend storms, some volunteers put a tarp over the roof of the concession stand. But that didn't even help much."

Jacinda Tatum who is The Field Commissioner for the Buffalo Vets says, " When it rains, it rains inside the hut. Last year it rained so bad here that the people inside the hut cooking were sitting in there with umbrellas."

The biggest issue they have with the stands, is when it rains.

The Buffalo Vets are in their 51st season here on Manhattan Street. While it's obvious their facilities need improvement.. It hasn't been easy getting the attention of City Hall. They say they've been trying to get funding for more than two years with no results.

The youth football league gives children starting at age 5 something to look forward to each season. The volunteers are also out here 6 times a week during the season giving back to their community. But they feel it's about time the city returned the favor.

"It's been real frustrating because our buildings get inspected. And we have an inspection coming up tomorrow and it will not pass inspection," says Hughes.

Tatum says, "An all we want is a little help back from the city to help us to continue to take care of the inner city children."

After trying to contact Masten District Councilman Demone Smith about the issue, we still have not heard back from him.