Popular Track May Close

Depite the popularity of RC racing in Spokane, area enthusiasts may soon lose one of their favorite tracks, an outdoor facility maintained by the Remote-Controlled Car Club of Spokane and located near Sullivan Park in the Valley.

As the new Spokane Valley Mall and other development engulf the area at a staggering rate, the Spokane Transit Authority has decided to proceed with earlier plans to install a park-and-ride on the site which currently houses the track.

Because the land is owned by the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department, and the racing club pays no rent, there is little the racers can do.

They have been promised help in finding a new spot for thier vacility, but worry it may lack the lighting necessary for holding night races.

Club vice-president Ron Penkunis said he understands the STA’s needs, but hopes some kind of compromise can be reached.

Specifically, he said that if the STA were to pave and use only part of their parking lot, the park-and-ride could be constructed without interfering with the track.

“If they see that we can be dealt with, they might be able to incorporate us into their plan,” he said.

“It seems to me like they could build a road around us and not lose anything. There’s plenty of places to park out there.”

But Wyn Birkenthal, manager for the Spokane Country Parks and Recreation Department, doesn’t think that will be possible. He said that although the STA needs all of the space to complete its plans, the county has had nothing but good relations with the racers in the seven years the track has existed and he would like to see them accommodated.

“They’re good people. When we’ve said we needed something painted, it got painted,” he said.

“They were very mild-mannered when we talked about this. I give them a lot of credit for the way they are handling it,” he said.

Christine Fuston, spokesperson for the STA, also hopes that an agreeable solution can be reached but said the park-and-ride needs to be accessible to Valley business and residential districts as well as to the freeway. She said the Sullivan Park location is the best and least intrusive spot available that meets all the necessary specifications.

Both parties will know whether the STA project will go ahead as planned by the beginning of next year.