Albi will remain open through deal

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession is expected to announce this week that the city and Spokane schools have reached an agreement to keep Joe Albi Stadium open for high school football and to replace its aging turf to avoid injuries to players.

Hession said Wednesday the agreement is part of a wider effort to decide on the long-term future of Albi and its grounds as a community venue for sports, recreation and park use. Former Mayor Jim West sought to sell Albi and its land last year, but was blocked by a City Council then led by former Council President Hession.

Under the latest talks between the city and Spokane schools, the city would keep the stadium open for high school football for up to 10 years and the schools would pay for installation of new artificial turf. Hession said the city and school systems are “partners” and he wants to maintain that relationship. He said, however, that the city and schools should leave themselves open to the possibility of building a new prep football stadium to replace Albi in the future.

An engineering report released last winter showed that Albi could be kept open for another 30 years with modest upgrades and basic repairs. The city, however, is facing continued subsidies to its operation without new attractions to help pay the bills.

On Monday, the Spokane Shadow soccer team announced it is pulling out of Albi Stadium and will not play its upcoming season after a consultant said that Albi’s turf is unsafe.