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County to withdraw park funding

Regional Athletic Complex would need $118,000 from Thurston in '09

By Christian Hill | The Olympian • Published December 27, 2008

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Thurston County will not contribute money to maintain and operate the Regional Athletic Complex in 2009, the first year all of the playing fields at the complex will be available for use.

Lacey and Thurston county signed a 15-year agreement in 1998 to jointly purchase, own, develop and operate the 68-acre property at the intersection of Marvin and Steilacoom roads. Until now, they have split equally the cost of maintenance and operations not covered by incoming revenue once the complex began operations.

The county decided not to contribute the money for the coming year as it looked to cut costs to close a massive budget shortfall projected for next year.

Lacey Parks and Recreation director Jim Sheler said the city and county have agreed to explore ways in which the county can make a financial contribution to the complex in lieu of the maintenance and operations payment.

Thurston approval

Don Krupp, chief administrative officer for Thurston County, said that proposal has not advanced to the county commissioners, who would need to approve it.

Krupp said the agreement envisioned that in some years one partner might be putting more money into the complex than the other partner. He noted the county has contributed more money to the maintenance and operation of the complex to this point, although not contributing any money next year will "push the ledger to their side."

"The main thing is that by the time we're done under the agreement, we've each met our obligations," he said.

$118,000

Under the agreement, Thurston County may transfer its ownership stake and maintenance and operations responsibility to Lacey in 2013, provided the expenses it has paid into the complex equals the city's.

The complex is budgeted to cost $702,000 to operate and maintain next year and is estimated to generate $465,000 from fees and other revenue sources. The county's share of maintenance and operations is estimated to be $118,000.

"We're concerned," Sheler said. "We have a contractual relationship with the county."

Crews from Ceccanti Inc. of Spanaway continue their work to complete development of the complex. Teams have been practicing and playing on four soccer fields at the partially developed complex since fall 2005.

Crews are completing two soccer fields, a full-size baseball field, four lighted softball/baseball fields and a community park.

"With the exception of the two soccer fields, the majority of the facility should be available in May and early June," Sheler said.

The two new soccer fields are scheduled to open in September so their turf has time to become established, he said.

One of the four existing soccer fields was upgraded with synthetic turf and lighting as part of the ongoing construction project.

The city will take over managing the maintenance and operations of the complex next year under a scheduled transition. The city has hired a complex manager.

It also has budgeted to hire a senior maintenance technician and journeyman maintenance technician to care for the complex.

Christian Hill covers Lacey and Thurston County for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5427 or chill@theolympian.com.