Make way for new fields: The kids will appreciate it

of the Gateway

Since coming to this community more than 18 months ago, I’m continually surprised by the different grassroots fundraising efforts.

Perhaps it’s because I work for the local newspaper and ones with a more regional focus don’t spend much time on them.

To name just a couple, the YMCA and the Harbor History Museum have done excellent jobs of raising money — much to the credit of the community and private donors.

Now comes a noteworthy cause that can’t be overlooked.

The Gig Harbor Little League needs help from the area to raise funds for the development of a recreation park in Gig Harbor North.

It’s one of the most rapidly developing areas within the city limits with St. Anthony Hospital getting ready to open early next year.

GHLL — a non-profit — probably struggles each year to pay for all the uniforms for its program that hosts more than 800 kids. I doubt they’re socking money away as they encourage people to attend next week’s auction dinner, with more fundraising efforts around the corner.

While nothing is etched in stone, I feel pretty confident after talking with the key players in this deal that Olympic Property Group and the City of Gig Harbor will find a way to make it happen.

We’re talking about having enough space to help develop our youth’s sporting fascination.

Did you know that teams for at least the GHLL are limiting their practices and increasing the number of players on some teams? That means fewer reps for more players, and more children having to sit on the bench.

That’s just not right.

With many of the successful fundraising efforts in the, I hope this one goes equally as smooth.

The Peninsula Athletic Association and the Gig Harbor Little League compete for field space. It’s not competition as in they are fighting over it, but I’m sure both groups aren’t overly generous about letting other teams play if they’ve got kids itching to get on a patch of grass.

Sporting programs that have to figure out who gets which field and who doesn’t just doesn’t sit well with me.

Once Sehmel Homestead Park comes online — I’m hearing from the Peninsula Metropolitan District that may happen sometime next spring, but with the way construction goes, it could be longer — and hopefully three new fields in Gig Harbor North, that’s adding about six new baseball fields and additional soccer space.

City leaders tell me they don’t have capital in their budget for new parks. So if the park space in Gig Harbor North falls through, Sehmel Homestead will help, but the problem won’t come close to being resolved.

The GHLL is trying to raise $1 million to pay for the development of a seven-acre parcel that would add three fields with parking and a concession booth.

The space would also be used for peewee soccer and potentially a day-camp setting for the YMCA, because the property sits directly south of it.

OPG would sign the property over to the city in exchange for a future offset in impact fees.

Donating for new parks in Gig Harbor — considering the demand and lack of field space — needs to be seriously looked at.

From an economic standpoint, building these fields can generate money when out-of-town teams travel to Gig Harbor.

And just as the city’s infrastructure is a step behind development, parks are far behind — if not farther — than the level of interest.

The GHLL has 800 kids alone. Tack on hundreds more from the PAA, not to mention select teams, and now it’s no wonder why nearly 50 kids were turned away from GHLL this year.

What happens when the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club has teams? Will their own fields accommodate the number of kids playing?

That remains to be seen.

If you’re not doing anything next Friday, attend the dinner auction at the Canterwood Golf & Country Club. You don’t have to buy anything except a hearty meal that’ll fill your stomach.

But they’ve got some pretty cool stuff, too, like a golden retriever puppy and some neat sports memorabilia for the silent and live auctions.

Lets hope OPG and the city can hammer this deal out. The sooner, the better.