Brighter Diamond Contractor Installing Lights For Waterfront Park Softball Field In/Around: Medical Lake

Thu., Oct. 29, 1998

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park is going to be a brighter place for ballplayers next year.

The city has hired a contractor to install field lights for its No. 2 softball diamond on the western shore of Medical Lake.

Parks Director Timm Shepard said the tournament-quality lights will allow more teams to make use of the popular park.

Waterfront Park draws leagues from throughout Spokane County as well as from the Pacific Northwest. It is the annual venue for the AA girls high school softball tournament.

Colvico Inc. of Spokane has a $55,000 contract to install the lights on aluminum poles. The work includes an upgrade of electrical lines at the park.

Once the lights are erected and aimed, the field should have even illumination across its surface, and the light spacing won’t need adjustment for years, said Mike Kelly, vice president of Colvico.

Work should be completed in the next few weeks, and the diamond will be ready for softball next spring. Residents will get a chance to try out the artificial lighting in January, when the city sponsors its annual Snowfest celebration.

Money for the improvements came from an annual grant of $50,000 from Spokane County commissioners.

Commissioner Phil Harris, who is seeking re-election, was at a dedication ceremony on Monday and was given a plaque by city officials.

The county has been subsidizing Medical Lake’s park and recreation programs because so many county residents take part in Medical Lake activities.

Shepard said the city is currently designing a series of interpretive signs that will be erected next spring along the loop trail that circles Medical Lake.

The lake at one time was widely renowned for its healing qualities, but pollution over the years damaged the delicate balance of minerals that gave Medical Lake its name.

The city is slowly making improvements to Waterfront Park. Shepard said a new softball diamond, family play set and tennis courts are planned in coming years.

More than $300,000 of improvements are projected in city plans for the park.

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