Sports field plan changes

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Sports field plan changes
Committee reduces number of tracts and areas with lights

By KATHY MULADY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The Seattle City Council's park committee took baby steps yesterday toward approving one of the most controversial issues on its agenda -- lighted sports fields at Sand Point Magnuson Park.

The panel reduced the total number of fields and the number of fields that can have lights.

The original proposal, presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation and endorsed by Mayor Greg Nickels, calls for 15 fields, with 11 having synthetic turf and lights.

"With 11 lighted fields it would be the sports complex from hell, it would be the biggest thing in the world," said Councilwoman Jean Godden, a member of the committee.

The panel proposed reducing the total number of fields to 13, with just seven of those having lights.

For now, funding is only available for a fraction of those fields.

Several more decisions are still ahead, including how many of the fields will be synthetic turf, what time lights will be turned off, and how many fields should be for soccer, baseball, or other sports.

The plan also calls for creating 65 acres of wetland habitat. Runoff from the artificial fields is expected to help keep the wetlands watered.

The committee plans to make the next round of decisions at its June 2 meeting.

Councilman David Della, chairman of the parks committee, said he hopes to send a recommendation to the full council for a final vote in mid-June.

The total project as proposed by the parks department is expected to cost about $60 million. About $12 million will be paid from the Pro Parks Levy approved by Seattle voters four years ago.

"There is no evidence of a future funding commitment," said Councilman Peter Steinbrueck, who's also on the committee. "We could find ourselves in a real pickle if this comes up in the budget when we are looking for money for police, libraries and other services."

Steinbrueck said he wants the parks department to proceed incrementally with field development and re-evaluating the project often.

"Let it develop and evolve over time. We need flexibility," he said.

That sounded fair to Gail Chiarello, who is urging a less intense use of the parkland.

"I think seven lit fields is too many, but maybe if it is built incrementally, maybe people will look at it and say that it is too much," she said.

Last month, hundreds of people crowded City Hall during a public hearing. People on both sides of the issue regularly flood city council members' e-mail boxes with letters.

"People are extremely passionate on this issue. Our job is to balance the different interests," Steinbrueck said.

Supporters of more fields say the city is far from meeting the demand for year-round lighted fields where youngsters and adults can play soccer, baseball, rugby and ultimate Frisbee.

Others say the fields should be spread throughout the city rather than concentrating so many in a single area.

"Spread the benefit and the burden of athletic fields throughout the city," Seattle resident Renee Barton said.

P-I reporter Kathy Mulady can be reached at 206-448-8029 or kathymulady@seattlepi.com

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