Albi permit OK’d for sports complex

The Spokane city hearing examiner has approved a conditional-use permit to the city Parks and Recreation Department to allow development of a sports complex at Joe Albi Stadium. The permit was needed prior to construction of an $11.6 million proposal, including a new softball complex.

Hearing Examiner Greg Smith said in his decision on Monday that the expansion of sports facilities would not cause any adverse impacts to the area. Concerns had been raised about additional traffic that the center would generate, and that conditions could be imposed on the project to mitigate any potential problems.

However, a center turn lane on Assembly Street north of Wellesley Avenue, which was suggested by residents in the area, is not needed under the proposal, Smith said.

Albi improvements were included in a $42.9 million pools and parks improvement bond issue approved by voters a year ago. Construction of swimming pools has started and several new “splash pad” water features have been completed.

The Albi complex is expected to get a five-diamond softball complex, multiple soccer fields, a BMX track, a skate park, a preschool play area, restrooms, parking and paving.

Construction is expected to start this fall with completion of the softball fields late next summer and completion of the soccer fields by spring 2010.

Mike Prager

Spokane County

Libraries will be closed on Friday

All branches of the Spokane County Library District will be closed Friday for staff training.

District officials say regular hours will resume on Saturday.

Downtown Spokane

Riverfront Park on winter schedule

Riverfront Park has announced its seasonal hours and is open for business.

The Ice Palace opened Wednesday and will be open through March 1, 2009. Visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark. com for information on hours, lessons, day or season passes, and drop-in hockey.

For the Halloween season, Riverfront Park’s new feature is the Riverfront Fright Haunted Pavilion. It will be open through Nov. 1. Visit the Park’s Web site for details.

Movies at the IMAX change as new movies arrive and others continue to play. For showtimes and information visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark .com/imax.php.

The Carrousel’s daily hours are noon to 5 p.m.

The Spokane Falls Skyride is open Fridays through Sundays during the winter from noon to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Spokane Schools holidays.

Gallery presents artist Scott

The Avenue West Gallery, 120 S. Monroe St., will host artist Elizabeth Scott as its artist of the month. Scott also will be honored at a reception at the gallery at First Friday on Nov. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Local musician Tracy Carr will be singing and playing guitar at the reception.

Call 838-4999 for more information.

From staff reports