Gig Harbor Little League Families,
Our friends at the Gig Harbor Peninsula Youth Sports Coalition and Friends of Gig Harbor Parks have asked us to share this Call to Action and the following information with you:
The City of Gig Harbor’s Preliminary 2023-2024 Budget has been released and it includes NO money to build fields.
As proposed, over the next two years Gig Harbor will invest NOTHING to construct new fields, but it will…
Construct Pickleball & Bocci Courts: $5,000,000.00
Convert Sports Complex Phase 3 (2 fields) to trails: $150,000.00
Construct Commercial Vessels Moorage: $3,200,000.00
Construct Public Works Operations Center: over $4,000,000.00
The only money allocated to fields is $60,000 for a “Feasibility Study for Phase 2 of Gig Harbor Sports Complex” and forecasts NO FUNDING 2025, 2026, and 2027, but plans to fund the following other projects in the years to come…
Veteran's Memorial Park Phase 2 $500,000.00
Cushman Trail Phase 5 $4,235,000.00
Wilkinson Farm Park Development $1,089,000.00
Jerisich Dock Float Extension $1,143,000.00
Seasonal Floats at Jerisich Dock $254,000.00
Maritime Pier Development $3,100,000.00
Veteran's Memorial Park $250,000.00
Harborview Waterfront Trail $590,000.00
Veterans Memorial Park Trail $147,000.00
Link to the City’s preliminary budget :
https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/DocumentCenter/View/3996
There are two ways you can provide comments and let the Mayor and City Council know how important it is for the city to fund these fields for our kids and our community.
Priority #1 – Attend the City Council meeting on Monday Nov. 14th at 5:30 pm (3510 Grandview St. Gig Harbor, WA 98335) and testify on the Preliminary Budget and first reading of the ordinance adopting the 2023-24 Budget. Speak in support funding for the construction of synthetic turf fields and lights for our kids.
Priority #2 – Email your own personalized comments for the public hearing support funding for the construction of synthetic turf fields and lights for our kids. Send your Email to the mayor and council at: [email protected]
Background: For over 10 years, the Gig Harbor Sports Complex has been in planning stages. The approved design includes 6 synthetic turf fields and lights for our kids to be constructed in 3 phases of development. Currently, Phase 1 is the only one in motion. For this phase the YMCA has a signed lease agreement with the city to develop Phase 1A (which would include 2 lit turf fields) and they would be the administrative entity. The estimated cost of this phase is $7 million and is expected to start in 2024 with completion by 2025, assuming the YMCA can raise all $7,000,000 from the community. Phase 1B, fully funded by City tax dollars, and the be constructed in 2024, it will include bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, playground, stage and stage. The city is relying on the YMCA and the community donors to fully fund fields while providing the full over $5 million to construct the non-field features. The city has not committed any to funding Phase 2 (2 fields) and Phase 3 (2 fields).
For more information on the history and status of the complex visit:
https://cityofgigharbor.net/637/Gig-Harbor-Sports-Complex
Talking Points for your email (use what best applies to you)
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The city’s 2023-2024 Parks Capital Projects includes hundreds and millions of dollars to parks and land but $0 dollars for constructing fields.
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The City has budgets for $60K for scoping and concept assessment of Phase 2 (Little League Fields) but at the same time allocated money to construct trails over the future Phase 3 (2 fields)
Link to the City’s preliminary budget :
https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/DocumentCenter/View/3996
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Every opportunity for public input the overwhelming support has been for synthetic turf and lighted fields
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The City of Gig Harbor has constructed only two fields since 1947, City Park at Crescent Creek and Veterans Memorial Park, which they don’t let groups reserve so use by leagues and teams is limited.
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Our kids and community are at a disadvantage when compared to other communities that have made the investment in all-season fields and similar sports complexes because we can’t provide the same level of learning, competitiveness, and availability.
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With the expected population growth to the Gig Harbor area and field space is, and has been, at a critical shortage we need to act now, and plan for the future by funding the construction additional fields that are lighted and all weather.
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There are over 7,000 youth participants in organized fields sports in our community, however there are not enough fields, and the City of Gig Harbor has not done its part.
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The city done an amazing job preserving our historic waterfront and important habitat –but we need to address our young families and active adults needs too.
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Remind the council of the expected revenue that would come from the sports complex including field rental income pays for the operation and maintenance.
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The community has a strong interest in this complex and is willing to advocate, fundraise and unite forces, we now need the City of Gig Harbor to do its fair share.
Thank you for your support!
GHLL Executive Board
