Young athletes and their parents have been grousing for years about the acute shortage of good soccer, baseball and football fields in our county.
Now it looks like a real solution is in the works that will benefit everyone.
The Public Facilities District has chosen to invest in our youth. At least $4.5 million, and maybe more if the county finances bonds, will be spent to develop a quality sports complex at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds complex in Silverdale.
The Fairgrounds are centrally located, currently under-used, and it’s enough money to create a first-class facility. There should also be enough money in the budget to address neighbors concerns about traffic and sidewalks.
So far, the proposal serves many community needs:
• The Pavilion would be converted into an indoor sports and recreation venue with a rubberized flooring surface suitable for indoor soccer, basketball and fastpitch.
• Artificial turf would be installed at Thunderbird Stadium. A new outdoor stage would be built and additional bleachers installed.
• Baseball and softball fields would get a facelift, with improved surfaces and upgraded lighting and seating.
• A new indoor playground for children would be added, along with two miles of new walking/biking trails and improved storm drainage.
•We suggest they also take a good look at how many additional baseball/soccer fields could be added on the available land.
Such a complex will benefit local families, and, if enough fields are added, allow local sports associations to host tournaments that bring big bucks into our economy.
If you have any doubt about how much money can be generated by a single soccer tournament—just ask the organizers and businesses who benefit yearly from the Viking Cup.
In a decision worthy of Solomon, the PFC also set some funds aside to build a conference center in Bremerton—should the plans come together in time to allow such a facility to be built. It’s a win-win for business and the economies of Bremerton and all of Kitsap.
We encourage the Kitsap County Commissioners to bless this PFD decision. It was one of the best we’ve seen in years.
