Bond Information

About the Parks Improvement Bond

Approved by voters with an overwhelming 68.1228% “yes” vote, this $42.9 million bond issue funded the construction and development of a variety of aquatics and youth sports projects throughout the City of Spokane. Brand new splash pads were constructed in 15 parks, and five new aquatic centers replaced old, leaking swimming pools in parks city-wide including A.M. Cannon, Comstock, Hillyard, Liberty and Witter. In addition, a brand new aquatics center was constructed in Shadle Park.

The bond also funded development of the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex adjacent to Joe Albi Stadium. The Merkel Complex includes softball and youth baseball fields, soccer fields, a skate park, a BMX track, trails and a neighborhood park with a splash pad and playground. In addition to funding from the bond, improvements at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex were funded by $4 million from the sale of park property that was approved by City voters in 1999 and subsequently held in reserve.

Additionally, $3 million of the 2007 Parks Improvement Bond was budgeted to convert nine general use softball/baseball fields for youth baseball. These fields are located throughout the City, allowing easier access for all youth baseball participants. Construction is underway on two new youth baseball fields at Underhill Park, one at Liberty Park, three at Chief Garry Park, two at B.A. Clark Park, and one at the new Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. These fields will be ready for use in spring 2011. Youth baseball will also have access this year to the new Dwight Merkel Softball Complex and will continue to have access to the Franklin Park Complex.

 

AQUATIC CENTERS
After just one year of construction the City now has six brand new aquatic centers. All six, A.M. Cannon, Comstock, Hillyard, Liberty, Shadle and Witter, were ready for use during the 2010 swim season. In addition to open swim and regular aquatic programs, these six aquatic centers are available to rent by the public for birthday parties, corporate parties, family reunions and other events. Each facility offers a variety of amenities such as water slides, zero-depth entries, shaded areas, lap pools and more. > More about aquatic centers

 

 
 
SPLASH PADS
Additionally, 15 new splash pads have been built in parks throughout the City, many in locations where wading pools were previously closed. > More about splash pads

 

 

 

  

 

DWIGHT MERKEL SPORTS COMPLEX
The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex celebrated its Grand Opening on August 7, 2010. There are six full-size natural grass soccer fields, two full-size synthetic athletic fields equipped with lights, a concession and management building and community bathrooms. In addition the softball complex consists of five softball diamonds and a pavilion containing concessions, bathrooms and meeting space. The complex also features a BMX track, skate park, neighborhood park with splash pad, trails and one youth baseball field. > More about the Merkel Complex
 

 

YOUTH BASEBALL
Planning is also well underway for the $3 million dollar development and improvement of nine general use softball/baseball fields for youth baseball. These fields are located throughout the City, allowing easier access for all youth baseball participants. Construction is underway on two new youth baseball fields at Underhill Park, one at Liberty Park, three at Chief Garry Park, two at B.A. Clark Park, and one at the new Dwight Merkel Sports Complex.  These fields will be ready for use in spring 2011. Youth baseball will also have access this year to the new Dwight Merkel Softball Complex and will continue to have access to the Franklin Park Complex. > June 2010 Youth Baseball Update
 
 
 
 

Roles & Responsibilities

City Council:

Placed Bond Question on Ballot
Approved Interim Financing
Approves Going to Bond
Appoints Citizen Advisory Council

Park Board:

Appointed by City Council, Semi-Autonomous Governing Board
Primary Responsibility for all Phases of Project
Responsible for all parks contracts over $42,000
Responsible for all land use decisions within city parks
Responsible for all uses of pools and city recreation & sports facilities

Park Staff:

Director appointed by Mayor
Follows Park Board direction on all phases of park operations
Responsible for executing all phases of bond project
Responsible for cost tracking and control within budget limits
Responsible for advising Park Board and Advisory Committee on all phases of bond project


Parks Bond Citizens Advisory Committee -
Ref:  City Council Resolution 2007-0112                                                     
A.  The Advisory Committee shall, prior to approval of a bond ordinance by the City Council approving the sale of bonds for the construction of any improvements, present a report to the City Council consisting of an opinion of the adequacy of the following:

1.    The construction cost and budget estimates for all aspects of the bond projects,

2.    The maintenance and operation budget, including capital replacement and repair funds, for all aspects of the bond projects, and

3.    The location, design and amenities of the improvements to the Joe Albi Stadium site, the neighborhood pools and spray pads and the baseball fields.

B.  The Advisory Committee shall provide, at a minimum, quarterly reports to the City Council on the status of the expenditure of bond proceeds and the progress of on-going construction projects.

 

Official name:  Parks Bond Citizen Advisory Committee

Mission:  To assist the Parks Department in several aspects of the Parks and Recreation Bond, including the development of a public input process, the construction cost estimates, and the maintenance and operation budgets.  The Advisory Committee will also assist the Parks Department to identify the improvement to be made at the Joe Albi Stadium Complex and the location, design and need for additional baseball fields.  The Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the Park Board and the Parks Department, present a report to the City Council regarding the construction costs, budget estimates, maintenance and operation costs and the location, design and amenities of the improvements prior to the construction of the improvements and issuance of bonds for the construction.

The Advisory Committee shall consist of at least seven and no more than 11 members from the community that represent a cross section of interest to include but not be limited to: Spokane Youth Sports Association, Spokane Softball Association, Community Assembly, a representative from youth baseball, Spokane Regional Sports Commission, Spokane Swim Team, and representatives of the construction industry, property management industry and accounting industry.

Members:

Jeff Halstead, Chair
Eric Armstrong                                        
Karen Bell                                            
Mark Casey                                          
Rob Crow                                            
Hanna Franchino                                    
Philip Helean                                          
Jim Kimmel                                          
Frank Knott
Todd Marsh