Reconsidering the stadium

Let’s be honest, Spokane (aka Hooptown USA) is a sports town. Our devotion and loyalty to the Gonzaga basketball program is just one example of how driven and connected our community is by sports.

Hoopfest would be another example. Could you imagine a Friday night where Spokane families could eat at a downtown restaurant and then walk through Riverfront Park, across the river to watch a favorite local sports team play? Could you imagine the scores of fans that would come to games? Could you imagine the revenue potential for local businesses? Well, as it stands, your imagination is about as far as you will get.

When this issue appeared on the ballot, nearly every person I spoke with believed the issue raised was whether or not money should be spent on a new stadium, when instead the issue was that of location. The fact is, a new stadium is planned to be built regardless and now it is set to be built at the existing, remote, Joe Albi location.

With this confusion in mind, many individuals decided to vote against a new downtown stadium under their mistaken belief that the money would be better spent elsewhere. Had all voters clearly understood that the money was going to be spent regardless, I sincerely believe the outcome would have been different.

This voter confusion was a material mistake with consequences that could span over decades. Now is the time to reconsider.

Maija M. Druffel

Spokane