Recently, I have been in discussions with representatives of Waste Management and with representatives of the Wenatchee Valley Sportsplex. According to Waste Management, the landfill will receive its permit to expand on May 15, 2008.
The initial drawings envision a 25-acre park that will have five multi-use, artificial turf fields. Next to these fields, the Sportsplex would build an indoor facility that would provide athletic programs and after-school programs for youth.
Contingent upon the fact that the City use the money to build athletic fields and an after school place for kids, Waste Management has expressed a willingness to enter into a voluntary host fee agreement that will provide the City with approximately $500,000 per year for the next 25 years. This host agreement will not increase the amount anyone has to pay for garbage collection. Waste Management collection fees are set by its current contract with the City.
Waste Management is willing to do this as a way to give back to the community as a result of the community allowing it to expand its landfill. Likewise, Waste Management is very committed to improving the lives of youths and feels that providing a means to accomplish this end is a worthwhile endeavor.
The preliminary estimates for the cost of the project is about $10 Million. The City should be able to obtain a bond for this amount secured by the revenue stream provided by Waste Management. This means that the project can be completed without any taxpayer money. I have made it very clear to everyone involved that the City is not willing to commit any funds to the project except for the revenue received from the voluntary host fee agreement with Waste Management.
To make sure the City does not put any taxpayer money at risk, I anticipate that the City will enter into an Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with King County Directors’ Association. This Association has installed many artificial turf fields throughout the state. By collaborating with the Association, the City simply agrees to pay an amount that is set in advance and then pay the purchase price when the project is completed. If there are any cost overruns, it would not be the City’s responsibility to bear.
Of course, things are still in the preliminary stages and all parties involved have to do their due diligence. Likewise, on the City’s end, the project is subject to approval by the City Council. But if things continue down the path we are on, the citizens of East Wenatchee and the surrounding community could expect to see the complex built in 2009 and be ready for play in 2010.
I am interested in hearing your comments about this project.
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10 comments:
Where in East Wenatchee are you thinking that the Sportsplex will go?
This is a no-brainer - do it! It will be a fantastic legacy to the future generations of people in the valley. It is also a help to combat the growing obesity problem of our children.
my hats off to a corporation who will give voluntarily 500,000 a year without raising any garbage rate- where are those other corporations out there who can do the same? How about our local family run corporations? I just wonder why it has to be run thru the city to finally make it happen?
I think it is a great idea, my daughter plays on a Fire team, and we have seen some amazing facilities in other towns. I like the idea that these fields will be in close proximity to the Hydro park fields for tournaments, and the location will lend to teams hitting East Wenatchee businesses after & in between games.
seems like a good idea...would like to see more on design and costs to maintain.....
I would like to know where else that huge a sum of money could be used for? The Sports Complex is only going to benefit a small percent of the City and County. Who is going to bear the costs for the upkeep, staffing, security, traffic revisions etc... that will occur? That kind of windfall should have multiple choices for the citizens to vote on. Sounds very shady and underhanded the way your going about it.
Great comments like,"No Brainer", "Great Idea", "Hats off to the Corporation". I also see a word that is the basis for all of it. "Children". This is for the kids, our kids. And the legacy that will be left by us, through them and for the future children that benefit. From a soccer viewpoint this has been too long coming.I tried 25 years ago and met nothing but political walls. From a health viewpoint there is no time like now! Move forward and get it done. Politics and buerocratic BS aside. Build it and they will come and play and enjoy and benefit. "Combat obesity" was the other comment I liked. Tall or short. Thin or fat. Dark or light. The sportsplex needs to happen for this area and for the good of the game and the people that play it. Especially the kids. Dont put it off any longer.
The host fees are to mitigate impacts of additional waste coming into the landfill, could be roads, infrastruture, traffic, etc... Why can't these fees be used to pay for the above instead of the city council trying to pass a $20.00 tab fee? I don't want to find out after the fact that this could have been negotiated with Waste Management. And, why isn't a non-profit organization getting the benefit of a free building?
Waste Management wants to do something for kids for a very long time to come while making a sound investment for the community. It's that simple. For all you pessimists out there, my research says that the Sportsplex will generate between 200 - 300 million dollars for our community over the next 25 years! Is there anything better? Do this for the kids, the economy, and the future of East Wenatchee!!
As an avid soccer player at the Wenatchee Valley Sportsplex in Cashmere, I am glad to see that someone (group) has a vision for our future regarding field sports and youth. Having had numerous conversations with the Managing Partners of the Sportsplex, I am confident that the proposed complex in East Wenatchee will be first class. I personally know how much time, money, and sweat equity these guys have put in...with no guarantees! Please support this project even if it just for the kids!
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