LL given chance to use 25 acres for complex
The West Plains Little League Association has found land to build its own six-field complex – 25 acres of the Graham Road Recycling and Disposal Facility.
The 3-year-old league has played its games at fields in Cheney and Medical Lake, but thanks to a 15-year lease from the Waste Management-owned-and-operated landfill, the league will have its own home field.
“It will give kids a quality place to play ball,” Adam Smith, president of the WPLLA said. “It gives kids a place to go that’s safe.”
When the league first started it was the WPLLA’s goal to find land to build a field. Several parents of the Little League players wanted to have better playing conditions for the teams and actively pursued finding anyone who had available land.
David K. Lowe, district manager of the Graham Road Landfill, has a son who plays in the Little League. Lowe knew there was land available at the landfill and knew the need of the league.
“My company is absolutely into giving back to the community,” Lowe said.
The WPLLA had been feeling out Waste Management for two years and last fall when the season ended, the ball started rolling. Waste Management is leasing the property for $1 a year. The WPLLA’s goal is to break ground next spring and be finished by March 2008, with the construction broken down into four phases.
Smith said Spokane County is lacking a Little League facility and is excited about what the league can do with the new complex, including perhaps getting a chance to host state and district tournaments. Smith and the WPLLA board are pursuing the opportunity to host state and district tournaments, and unlike before, the league will also have concessions, both of which would bring money in for the league.
The estimated cost of the complex is $2 million to $2.5 million, which the league will fund through grants. There are no definite funds set up, but Smith expects the whole process to last at least 10 years.
Since the project is set up in four phases, it allows the funds to slowly filter in.
“We don’t have to hit a home run and bring in $2 million or we can’t do anything,” Smith said.
The board contacted a local architecture company that has drawn out the plans for the fields.
The complex will feature two girls softball fields, three Little League fields (one which will be equipped with lights) and one full-size junior league field. Along with the concession stand, there will also be bleachers, landscaping and paved parking.
“It does nothing but benefit the league and the community,” Lowe said. “It’s a win-win situation.”