County Mulls Expansion Of Soccer, Softball Fields

Thu., Jan. 9, 1997

By Jonathan Martin jonathanm@spokesman.com

Possible expansion of softball and soccer fields in West Plains parkland is under consideration in a Spokane County plan to update recreation facilities.

The County Commission is deciding how it will spend the $200,000 budgeted for parks improvements in or near Cheney and Medical Lake in 1998.

County Parks Manager Wyn Birkenthal says emphasis would be on expanding softball and soccer fields, possibly on county park property at Fish Lake.

The West Plains park is part of a five-year, $6.6 million parks improvement plan now before Spokane County commissioners.

Much of the money will be spent fixing the county’s aging pools.

Commissioner Phil Harris said the county has been remiss in its maintenance of aging pools.

“If we’re going to be in the pool business, we should do a first-class job,” said Harris.

The plan received preliminary approval last week. Following final commissioner approval, expected later this month, the county would begin renovations at all four existing pools - Holmberg Park on the north side and the three Spokane Valley pools, Valley Mission Park, Terrace View Park and Park Road.

“The idea is continuous uninterrupted pool usage,” said Birkenthal.

The renovation fund will mean at least plugging cracks in the aging pools. The Valley Mission pool has leaked up to 50,000 gallons a day, Harris said.

, DataTimes

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