‘If you build it, they will come’

Three-way deal in the works to benefit youth with fields

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

As the Gig Harbor peninsula continues to develop, recreation space for youth sports has remained stagnant — at best.

But there’s a promising future with a potential three-way deal between Olympic Property Group, Gig Harbor Little League and the City of Gig Harbor that could turn a seven-acre piece of property in Gig Harbor North into additional playfields.

The benefit would mostly be seen by GHHL, the Peninsula Athletic Association and the Gig Harbor YMCA.

If an agreement can be reached, OPG would hand over the property to the city, which would allow GHLL to develop it for $1 million.

The property is currently valued at $3.2 million.

GHLL, a local non-profit organization, will host the first of many fundraisers on May 16 with its annual golf tournament and auction at Canterwood Golf & Country Club.

OPG’s John Chadwell, senior project manager for the Harbor Hill development project, said he’s hopeful the city and his team can work out a deal in the coming months.

The idea came out of the understanding that little league programs are hurting for areas to expand.

“There are kids on the peninsula who aren’t being served,” Chadwell said. “They’re struggling to find space to play.”

By working with GHLL, Chadwell said OPG’s gain is possibly an offset to future park impact fees they’ll likely incur with future residential and commercial development on more than a 320-acre proximity.

The Gig Harbor North property is slightly smaller than the neighboring ball field currently used by GHLL.

The potential of three more baseball fields and other amenities would be the newest piece of down-the-line development enhancements of Gig Harbor North, Chadwell said.

Harbor Crossing, located behind the Target department store, was the first sign of new homes in the area.

Fields are at a premium for groups like the GHLL, PAA and others in the area for practice and games. Add another 800 to 1,000 homes and the capacity for youth sports becomes frightening.

While no formal agreement has been made, verbal discussions between city leaders and OPG have been optimistic. Gig Harbor City Administrator Rob Karlinsey said it’s a good idea.

“It’s really important because there’s not a lot of park land up there,” Karlinsey said. “It’d be a nice complement to what is there now, like the YMCA.”

Karlinsey said Mayor Chuck Hunter wants it to be a “Turn-key operation,” meaning the city would give the land directly to GHLL for development.

A number of commercial businesses already exist in Gig Harbor North, including Costco and YMCA. Chadwell said the addition of quality recreation fields would be an extra benefit for a growing community.

“We have the opportunity to have a very nice park that benefits the Gig Harbor North community,” Chadwell said.

Fifteen years ago, community leaders and the Peninsula Light Company joined together, with PenLight donating land for the existing three fields now owned by GHLL. This time, it’s OPG.

“It’s no different from building parks, which are part of the (Harbor Hill) master plan,” Chadwell said. “We’re trying to provide the full package.”

Bob Werner, a GHHL board member, is in charge of new fields and the incorporation of the newest division in the program — girls’ fastpitch — which has added 100 participants.

“Little league just needs more fields,” Werner said. “We really need the city and OPG to come together in final terms.”

Werner added that, with the capital campaign underway, spearheaded by GHLL board member Cy Oatridge, certain groups have been apprehensive in donating money because nothing has been made official.

Chadwell said OPG fully intends to partner with the city. The group hopes to have a formal proposal to city leaders in one to two months, he said.

The process would then be for city staff to make a recommendation to the Gig Harbor City Council for approval.

“It’s an even-balanced equation, and everybody gets what they want,” Chadwell said.

The goal, Werner said, is to shoot for the 2010 baseball season.

YMCA management has been in discussion for the possibility of integrating a day-camp program there, as well.

The vacant space — potentially a ball field with open space — connects with the YMCA.

Bob Ecklund, CEO of YMCA-Pierce County, said there needs to be a multiple-acre park south of the YMCA to serve more children.

“This has always been the hope and intention,” he said. “We’d love to expand the youth department and have more activities for families.”

The YMCA has more than 18,000 members in less than one year of operation. More than 40 percent of those members are youths, Ecklund said.

Oatridge added they’ve been looking for more than a year for a viable piece of property to use. The fundraising for this particular project started about five months ago.

“I’m not sure what our options will be if we don’t get this done,” Oatridge said.

Gig Harbor City Council member Tim Payne said they’ve talked in concept about the idea, but they haven’t gone into details of what could go in that space.

“I’m interested in finding a solution,” Payne said. “From my perspective, I would like to achieve a greater ability to provide for those kids who want to play little league.”

The idea of six ball fields also opens the door to select tournaments, inviting teams from outside the Gig Harbor area.

“The more facilities that we have that can draw people in to boost our economy locally — we want those kinds of opportunities and events,” Payne said. “It could help bring more vitality to the community.”

Filling the gap

Eric Guenther, recreation and special projects coordinator for the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District, said PenMet has experienced a net loss in park space in the past 15 years. The park district owns more than 250 acres contained within five parks on the Gig Harbor peninsula.

The only new field scheduled for construction is Sehmel Homestead Park, which will add a full-size baseball field, two softball fields and more.

Sehmel wouldn’t be playable at least until next spring, Guenther said.

“Every recreation group out here doesn’t have enough field space or time,” he said.

GHLL and the Peninsula Athletic Association share different fields around the harbor. They use areas such as Rosedale Park and Hales Pass ball field, City Park and a few Peninsula School District fields.

It’s not enough.

And because of a growing interest in baseball and girls fastpitch, GHLL turned away 45 children this year.

Now, GHLL has added 25 teams and 300 players, and other age brackets have doubled in league participation in the past four years.

About 800 children play organized baseball for GHLL, which has control of just three fields.

PAA and GHLL work together for practice time for eight to 10 tournament teams at local parks and school district fields.

Year after year, fields owned by PenMet and the schools are rented in order to provide enough fields for the leagues to operate. Practice times have been cut due to limited space, and teams have more players than preferred.

“Our community is growing and expanding, and we have more kids knocking on our doors,” Oatridge said.

Maintenance of the fields is still unresolved. It would either be the city’s responsibility to staff a crew, or possibly PenMet.

GHLL fundraiser

The Gig Harbor Little League will hold a golf tournament and auction at Canterwood Golf & Country Club on May 16 as part of a campaign to raise $1 million for the development of a new recreation facility next to its current location in Gig Harbor North.

Golf registration is at noon. Shotgun start is 1 p.m. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m.

The price for golfing is $150 per person and $600 per foursome. It includes a cart, range balls, a gift and dinner. Dinner is $50 per plate and provides a choice seat for the auction.

Auction items include baseballs autographed by professional baseball players Ichiro Suzuki, Tim Lincecum and Scott Hatteberg. Also available to win is hitting instruction from former Major League Baseball player Jim Nettles, golf at several local courses, a golden retriever puppy, various gift baskets and autographed basketballs from Brandon Roy, a former Washington Husky and current player for the Portland Trail Blazers, and 2008 NBA Rooke of The Year Kevin Durant of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Reach Sports Editor Marques Hunter at 253-853-9243 or marques.hunter@gateline.com.