Battle over more playfields goes on

They say 11 synthetic soccer fields over 22 acres, with 600 lights on 80 poles are excessive. They argue the plan will destroy wildlife, spill light into the surrounding residential area and ruin the quality of life for formerly homeless people living in transitional housing in the park.

On the other side, Friends of Athletic Fields are looking eagerly ahead. Construction is expected to start this summer on four baseball fields. They should be ready to use in about a year. Construction on the synthetic fields could start by 2006.

The sports complex and adjacent wetlands, which will be fed by runoff from the synthetic fields, are expected to cost about $60 million. About $13 million will be paid from money collected under the ProParks Levy.

Friends of Athletic Fields members are discussing ways of raising the rest of the money to complete the project, rather than waiting for money in the next parks levy. Synthetic soccer fields cost about $600,000 each.

Peter Lukevich, president and chief executive of the athletic fields group, says he sees only good coming out of the sports complex project. The location off Sand Point Way is ideal, he said.

Sand Point/Magnuson Park covers about 352 acres on the west side of Lake Washington. The park used to be the Puget Sound Naval Station. The city has owned most of the property since 1975.

The sports fields have been discussed since the early 1990s. But only in the past two years have details of synthetic fields and lighting become part of the plan.

Lukevich said the planned complex offers something for everyone.

"I can go play in a softball game, then go stroll through the wildlife area. That I will have the ability to do that is wonderful and unique," he said. "I want future generations to understand that we can recreate passively and actively, and we can do it side by side."

Lukevich said there has been an explosion in recent years in sports recreation.

"We need to build this for our citizens," he said.

On the other side, Friends of Magnuson Park say anyone who learns about the plans for the sports complex is appalled. They argue that wildlife can't thrive with year-round soccer and rugby tournaments, not to mention acres of lights that will remain on until 10 or 11 p.m.

"We are talking about a full-bore tournament-level sports facility capable of holding hundreds and hundreds of people," said Doug Ancona, who is heading the Friends of Magnuson Park effort to halt the project.

Ancona has been connected with Magnuson Park since 1976, when he was an attorney for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

He said he would press the lawsuit with "huge reluctance" and would rather see the issues resolved another way.

Earlier this year, the city hearing examiner approved most of the environmental impact statement for the project, addressing lights, traffic and other issues, but required the city to provide more information about the effect of noise from the sports complex on wildlife. That study was released last week with a 30-day period to appeal the findings.

Even some Kirkland residents across the lake are starting to ask questions about the project.

"It is going to be devastating if that thing is ever lit. Hopefully the city of Seattle will come to its senses," said Jeff Nouwens, who lives in Kirkland. "We don't need that much light shining on this side of the lake. It's going to look like 11 spaceships landing."

Lukevich said he doesn't understand the controversy.

"For so many years, everyone put up with use of the field by the Navy. Now it is going to be used for sports," he said.

"No one is going to have lights shining in their windows, but there is going to be a glow there."

People on both sides of the issue have been sending letters and e-mails to City Council members. They regularly attend meetings of the council's Parks Committee and track developments.

Last week, the City Council's plan to approve sports-field advocate Terry Holme to the Parks Commission drew opposition. But the council approved his appointment last Monday, expressing faith in his passion for parks and ability to consider issues without bias.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is expected to bring the project back to the council this summer for final approval.

"We aren't going to let it die, not by any stretch of the imagination," said Ancona.