Sports group’s actions questioned by Spokane Valley City Council

What’s in a name?

That was just one question asked of the Spokane Sports Commission’s President and CEO Eric Sawyer at a special meeting called by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and including Spokane Valley City Council members, last week.

Council member Arne Woodard wanted to know why “Regional” has been removed from the sports commission’s name, a change that’s been interpreted by some as a slight of Spokane Valley.

“Regional was removed from the Sports Commission’s name two years ago,” Sawyer said. “It’s all about branding. People know Spokane – we have to be the Spokane Sports Commission.”

At a recent Spokane Valley City Council meeting, the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s recommended allocation of $185,000 to the Spokane Sports Commission brought the name change and the perceived lack of funding for Spokane Valley projects to the forefront again.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee distributes a portion of the 2 percent hotel/motel tax – a total of $570,000 – to local organizations that apply for funds for projects that will promote events and tourism in the area.

Among recommendations are $256,000 to Visit Spokane and $15,000 to Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.

The proposed allocation for the Sports Commission hit a sore spot with some because a proposed 95,000-square-foot indoor field house will be built on the north bank of the Spokane River – in an empty lot owned by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department – and not at Mirabeau Park.

Sawyer said the downtown location was picked because the land there is free; the 9-acre lot south of CenterPlace which would cost about $2.7 million.

Sawyer said another major issue is that train tracks near the Mirabeau site could cause traffic problems, and that parking would have to be constructed there, making the project even more expensive.

“We saved $4 million by going downtown,” Sawyer said.

The field house would cost an estimated $27 million and be financed as part of a $45 million park levy proposed earlier this year by Spokane County.

Sawyer said the Public Facilities District would operate the field house no matter where it’s located.

Spokane Valley does not automatically get a position on the PFD board. Kevin Twohig, CEO of the PFD, said anyone can approach the city of Spokane or county commissioners to seek an appointment. Of the five-member board, two are appointed by the Spokane City Council, two by county commissioners and the fifth member is picked by the other four.

Last week’s meeting ended with a lively discussion of which facilities and park improvements in Spokane Valley could be financed by the proposed levy, including putting artificial turf on some soccer fields at Plante’s Ferry Park and pursuing a multisports complex at the Mirabeau site.

Mayor Dean Grafos said planned traffic revisions near Mirabeau would eliminate the problem with the train crossing and make access to the site easier.

Council member Ed Pace wanted to know how the sports commission would spend the $185,000 it may be allocated.

Sawyer said that would go to planning and events – not construction. He then encouraged the city to pursue plans for the Mirabeau site.

“Former Valley administrations were not interested in purchasing land for that sports complex,” Sawyer said. “If that’s changed, then you need to step up and be part of this conversation.”

The council will take another look at the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee’s recommendations at its Dec. 16 meeting.