City of Puyallup Parks, Recreation and Senior Advisory Board Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 28, :00 p.m.

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1 City of Puyallup Parks, Recreation and Senior Advisory Board Special Meeting Minutes Thursday, August 28, :00 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jeff Moss, Vice Chair Georga Prossick, Stephanie Garretson-Blume, Debbie Carling, Phil Schumock, Bill Hilton NOT PRESENT: Keith Sherrill STAFF PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Harris; Property and Facilities Manager Deke Jones; Administrative Clerk Cindy Huff Mr. Moss welcomed Stephanie Garretson-Blume to the Parks, Recreation and Senior Advisory board. He explained that community stakeholders and organizations have been invited to share information relating to their recreational needs. A representative from each group will be called upon, allowed ten minutes to present their information and then allowed to answer questions. Once all groups have had an opportunity to speak, he stated that the podium will be open to any other special interest groups. Mr. Moss noted the board s recent completion of the Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan (PROS) six-year update. He pointed out that the PROS plan identified a number of needs, and although there have been a number of discussions, the board has not identified a plan to meet those needs. The City Council has asked the board to help facilitate what deficiencies could be met if the council opted to consider a bond measure. He noted that staff is revisiting the Capital Improvements Plan and adjustments have been made to the timing of some projects. He identified the following as areas currently under staff consideration: the area at Shaw Road and Pioneer; community parks; gymnasium capacity; covered tennis courts and lighting; shared use of the Kalles ball fields; a new or expanded recreation center; and potential revitalization of the Memorial Center. Mr. Moss voiced a need to identify costs and present a package to the city council that will allow them to consider a bond issue. The intent for the Parks Board is to conduct open houses offering a scope of improvements for public consideration and input. Ms. Harris added that information on the size of each organization, its anticipated growth and how the clubs are deficient in the number of current fields would be helpful as would be projecting on economic impacts from hosting tournaments. Puyallup Lacrosse Mr. Al Culvert explained that Puyallup Lacrosse started in 2005 with 17 athletes; it currently has over 300 athletes and anticipates growth to almost 1,000 athletes in five years. He noted that the three Puyallup high schools each hosts a lacrosse program. He identified their season as yearround from February to May, and pointed out that lacrosse programs have increased statewide from six clubs in 2005 to seventy clubs currently. The players practice on grass, play their games on turf and by mid-march the fields are muddy. He voiced a preference for synthetic fields and

2 said a larger complex would be helpful. He relayed that Puyallup Lacrosse hosts the 7/8 Grade South Sound Boy s Tournament (26 teams) and has a goal to offer a 7/8 Girl s Tournament in In regards to future needs, Mr. Culvert confirmed that Puyallup Lacrosse envisions hosting state and/or regional tournaments. Currently the club offers college camps and clinics that result in overnight stays benefitting local hoteliers. Additionally, the Lacrosse Starfire Tournament held in December draws numerous college coaches seeking new talent. He identified turf as the most important need within the next couple of years. There is considerable wear and tear on the grass fields resulting in a safety issue causing player injuries by running in mud. In response to questions, Mr. Culvert explained that the high school team is a part of the club team; he is a volunteer with the non-profit club. Lacrosse uses a football sized field and a synthetic field would allow the teams to play year-round and during inclement weather. There are two divisions at the state level with tournaments played on artificial turf only; when Puyallup Lacrosse hosts tournaments they use Orting due to the unavailability of Sparks Stadium and the Emerald Ridge High School fields. Younger participants also play on full-sized fields and he anticipated four to six fields to meet their needs noting lighting would allow the teams more practice time. Puyallup Soccer Union (RSA Elite Soccer Program) Ms. Lynn Batchelder clarified that Puyallup Soccer Union is dedicated to ages 3-18; RSA serves as the more competitive program. She noted that: PSU represents 1,100 soccer players; the club s recent merger with Sumner increased the league to 72 teams; and there are future plans to add a modified league for those needing assistance with travel costs. She calculated that, between PSU and RSA, the club hosts approximately 300 soccer games in or near the city. Lighting issues and the amount of time necessary to play limits the number of games played from three to five per day. She estimated needing three to four full-sized fields to meet PSU s needs which does not consider future growth. She spoke of the difficulty in negotiating the use of school fields due to the PSD turf fields being used for football and not available to use during November. She pointed out that by the time the high school girls league starts in December all the grass fields become muddy and unsafe. She noted that PSU rents Washington s Premier Fields in the fall at $75.00 per game and uses it until November. She voiced a preference for turf fields and noted that the club budgets $100,000 yearly for field rentals. Ms. Batchelder explained that PSU hosts a tournament on the Labor Day weekend; however, a shortage of available fields decreased the number of teams that could be accommodated and impacted their revenue. She pointed out that one Canadian club brings in eleven teams and the economic impacts from the tournament visitors is huge to the local area. Additionally, she identified a second tournament set for July at Heritage Field that is equally valuable to the community. Ms. Batchelder identified a need for a minimum of six full-sized fields and a preference for two mod-sized fields. She pointed out that if lighting was included then the fields could be shared with Lacrosse. She voiced the club s willingness to advocate and assist the city with a proposed bond. 2

3 In response to questions, Ms. Batchelder pointed out that turf is replaced every 12 years and the cost would need to be built into the sports fees; however, artificial turf does not require maintenance or the use of chemicals. Additionally, she noted that the fees for a recreation player are $ for a fall season; the elite player fees are $1,245 ($ dedicated to field rental), for year-round play. PSU uses Sparks Stadium during December and then goes to Sumner and rents Sunset, Bonney Lake, Orting Stadium, Crate Field and Surprise Middle School. In regards to parking needs, she estimated the need for 300 parking spaces for an average sized tournament. Rainier Soccer Alliance Mr. Mark Mitchell spoke regarding the value of tournaments and pointed out that the Puget Sound Premier League hosted over 700 teams in Washington this year. They rent fields, pay for the referees and play on the modified fields. He pointed out that there is no space available in the South Sound area, so the all the games are played elsewhere. He stressed that tournaments are a revenue source, noting in the fall and spring the fields are filled daily with visitors spending dollars in the city. He spoke of his club s hosting a college showcase that drew many out-of-state visitors, who stayed and spent money in the local area. He believed that the revenue is there and rental fees will pay for new fields operationally and supported a bond to help purchase land and build a sports complex. Puyallup Parks Foundation Ms. Therese Pasquier spoke on behalf of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and identified her meeting with Roger Knutson who has expressed interest in a possible multi-use sports field/complex at the Shaw-Pioneer area. She pointed out that the closure of Bally s left 800 tennis players having to go to Spanaway or Auburn for an indoor court. She discussed statistics from the recent USTA sectionals held in Spokane and Portland and noted the upcoming sectionals scheduled at Sun River. She stressed that the city has the opportunity to have a facility and host sectionals here. Ms. Pasquier identified a need for additional indoor courts for local high school students to play. She voiced a need for a minimum of six indoor courts for tournaments, which does not include the regular weekly teams that play. She noted the USTA s commitment to the effort and a strong network willing to advocate and provide assistance with financial and facility aspects. She opined that Puyallup could become a destination if the appropriate facilities are available. In response to questions, Ms. Pasquier pointed out that the season could be year-round with an indoor facility, noted that people are willing to pay and some courts (Sprinker) cost upwards of $30 per hour. She felt there to be a huge opportunity for the USTA to work with the city on a private/public partnership similar to the Sand Point facility in Seattle. Additionally, she noted the preference for covered courts and noted that other facilities provide an inflatable, heated bubble for the rainy season; having the courts enclosed would work better for tournaments. Dog Park Mr. Robert Slaughter, advocate for Big Dog Love, pointed out that his organization has started the design phase of the current dog park. He visualized and proposed a ten acre site, staying away from corrals, such as the Clark s Creek South area and a dog walk surrounding the sports complex with a double looping back trail system and a fence to keep dogs separate from the sports fields. He stated that approximately fifty percent of Puyallup s population of 38,000 are pet 3

4 owners, and he pointed out that Puyallup has one official park under construction, one park under deconstruction and is one park down and not serving at full capacity. In response to questions, Mr. Slaughter clarified that the dog run would be outside the play field perimeter. He agreed that many people do not have good control of their dogs; however, animal control is a very different issue. He felt that citizens can play a part in the construction of the park and that signage could be added along the trail system to help generate and improve animal knowledge. He identified an opportunity to fully fund a dog park through animal control fees. He voiced a need to have separate areas for large and small dogs as all dogs are bred with a purpose, and commented that certain breeds of dogs and untrained and ill-tempered dogs cannot be placed with larger animals. Puyallup Junior Vikings Ms. Rachel Kessler reiterated the difficulty to book Sparks Stadium, noting that participants are currently practicing at Lidford Field and the group has sustained eleven injuries in seven days due to improper field maintenance. She pointed out the poor condition of the ground and grass; voiced the difficulty to have it maintained during the summer; and she recently learned that the back parking is no longer available which will create a parking issue. She explained that the Vikings have five teams that must fit into 40 parking spots on a main road; the congestion is hazardous and she voiced her efforts to speak with Pierce County regarding the field. Ms. Kessler noted Puyallup Junior Vikings status as a newer club who has also experienced difficulty in getting field requests approved by the PSD. She expounded that her requests are submitted at the same time as soccer and lacrosse and was only approved for three out of ten home games at Sparks Stadium. She has had to procure fields in Auburn for two games. She felt that the lack of maintenance is detrimental to the fields and cost the parents financially through injuries, medical bills and unnecessary injuries may impact careers due to the time needed to heal. She noted that the accident ratio decreases approximately 90% between an unmaintained field and a field with artificial turf. She identified her status as the Nisqually Junior Football League (NJFL) secretary and pointed out that they have 28 teams that hold playoff games indoors and they would utilize an enclosed facility during the winter and the playoff season. In response to questions, Ms. Kessler responded that their season starts August 1st and runs through November and is open to K-8 students. The Vikings has approximately 200 players and 56 cheerleaders. She pointed out that the lights at Lidford field were damaged three times last year and the Vikings had to pay for damages via insurance. She voiced a need to rent four light stands this year. She was perplexed as to why the use forms are denied, is not aware of Kalles ever being approved and suggested that the city be wary of any agreement with the PSD in regards to youth organizations. Friends of the Riverwalk Trail Ms. Dixie Gatchell voiced the Friend s goal to connect trails and provide an active transportation network from the Carbon River entrance of Mount Rainier to Tacoma, east to Sumner and north to Seattle. She listed two projects the Friends would propose for a bond issue: to connect the Riverwalk Trail at Stortinis with the Meeker Trailhead of the Foothills Trail; and include a pedestrian bicycle bridge over the river connecting the Riverwalk and the Sumner Link Trails. 4

5 She pointed out that Bob Kastama and Ernie Bay have advocated for the acquisition of the property along 5 th ST NE and the Friends are prepared to provide matching funds. Ms. Gatchell further noted efforts to work with the Russell Foundation regarding their proposal of the Puyallup Watershed initiative and she advised the board of the Foothills Rails to Trails recent purchase of the necessary right-of-way for the portion of trail needed for the Rainier to Ruston Relay. Board Comments Mr. Schumock advised that the problems with the Puyallup School District are a totally separate issue. He pointed out that any agreement regarding the use of Kalles field would be clearly defined and the city would control its portion of the time slots. Mr. Moss clarified his understanding from the conversation, that the multi-use facility appears to make a lot of sense and would be very valuable for multiple types of sports uses. Discussion There was discussion around the room touching on tournaments; the positive financial impacts that could be realized by hosting tournaments; the need for a year-round multi-use facility; parking issues; field issues; and the lack of adequate fields to support the sports programs. Mr. Moss thanked those present for their participation in the meeting. He felt that some good information was shared and he voiced an intent to engage the special interest groups as the board moves forward with the process. Mr. Hilton invited those present to participate in the upcoming public meetings and Ms. Harris pointed out that any additional statistics or financial information from the groups would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Adjourned - 7:23 p.m. 5