Mead Gets Ok To Expand Fields

Spokane County commissioners agreed Tuesday to let Mead High School expand its sports fields onto 14 acres of future gravel pit.

The deal, which was already approved by Mead’s school board, will cost the district $10 a year.

In addition, Mead officials say they’ll spend $419,000 to $625,000 to turn the undeveloped land into baseball, softball and soccer fields.

Although paperwork wasn’t ready to sign Tuesday, all three commissioners agreed to a 15-year lease, provided the county is not held responsible should anyone be hurt on the land.

The county may extend the agreement in 2012 if it still doesn’t need the gravel that’s under the turf and bleachers.

Mead officials say the school needs more land because it will become a four-year school next fall. In the past, freshmen have attended middle schools.

The reorganization is sparked by the opening of the district’s new Mount Spokane High School.

Mount Spokane has 40 acres of athletic fields. Mead High School packs three baseball diamonds, three soccer fields, a track and football field onto 24 acres.

Other than the county land, there’s nowhere for the school to grow, said district Superintendent Bill Mester.

The county already digs gravel from land near the school. It won’t need its 14 acres until that existing pit is spent.

Mester said the district hopes the sports fields can be moved onto the reclaimed gravel pit if the county ever needs to end its lease with Mead.

, DataTimes