Plans Moving Along For New Sports Complex

Plans to transform the site of an abandoned north Spokane sewage pond into a sports complex inched closer to reality earlier this week.

On Monday, the City Council agreed to pay J.C. Draggo & Associates of Portland $8,500 to draft project specifications so that businesses interested in developing and running the complex can compete for the job.

The proposed $3.2 million North Pointe Sports Complex near Holland and Colton includes five lighted softball fields, two volleyball courts, two basketball courts, an inline-skate hockey rink, a skateboard area and concession stand.

The city is looking for an organization willing to design, build and manage the complex. An earlier plan by the Spokane Metro Softball Association to manage the facility fell through last year.

The organization also would take over management of the city’s 29 adult softball fields.

The city is considering issuing bonds to pay for North Pointe’s construction. The bonds likely would be repaid with park fund dollars and a portion of revenues earned from the softball fields and concessions, said Paul Crutchfield of the Parks Department.

The project will go out for bid later this year.

Also Monday, the council approved a request by developer Rod Plese to change the North Hill neighborhood’s land-use plan.

Plese successfully lobbied to change the designation of a chunk of land at the southwest corner of Francis Avenue and Atlantic Street from residential or office use to general commercial.

, DataTimes