Community Government Health & Wellness

Gig Harbor breaks ground on sports complex

Gig Harbor’s long-held vision to build a sports complex became palpable Friday morning with a Phase 1B groundbreaking ceremony.

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Phase 1B, on 3.4 acres abutting the Tom Taylor Family YMCA parking lot off of Harbor Hill Drive, will include six pickleball courts, three bocce ball courts, a performance stage, an event lawn, a playground, two picnic shelters and a bathroom/concession building.

Pease Construction of Lakewood was the lowest bidder for land clearing and construction with a $5.5 million proposal, approved by the City Council on April 8. Work on Phase 1B is expected to be completed by spring of 2025.

Phase 1B

From under a white tent top at the edge of the woods, Mayor Tracie Markley introduced and thanked many in attendance who helped bring the project to fruition. Several others among the crowd of about 40 were pickleballers who let out a cheer when Markley mentioned the first public courts in the area.

Trees to be replaced 1 for 1

Every tree taken down will be replaced, primarily on site but with 37 to be planted on nearby city properties, Markley said. Plants that could be dug by hand were taken in March by supporters of the Gig Harbor Land Conservation Fund. Public works employees transplanted others to their new shop on Skansie Avenue.

With the city proposing to raise taxes to fend off a potential budget shortfall, it stressed in an event announcement that no general fund dollars will be spent on the project. Funding has been secured through grants, private donations, impact fees and capital project funds.

Breaking ground are, from left, Senior Engineer Dean Zavack, City Administrator Katrina Knutson, City Councilman Seth Storset, Mayor Tracie Markley, Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm, City Councilmen Ben Coronado and Roger Henderson and City Councilwoman Mary Deming Barber. Photo by Ed Friedrich

The city was thrilled to purchase the land in 2017 from Olympic Property Group, Markley said. Otherwise it would have become a commercial development instead of “a premier destination for sports and recreation enthusiasts of all ages.”

“See you at the ribbon cutting in February,” the mayor signed off, almost forgetting the moment everyone had all been waiting for — the golden-shovel dirt toss.

Vision began in 2011

The city first began acquiring property for what it now envisions as a community sports complex in 2011 when it received 7.1 acres south of the YMCA from Olympic Property Group in lieu of park impact fees via a development agreement. That would be the site of Phase 3.

Mayor Tracie Markley addresses the crowd during a sports complex groundbreaking ceremony Friday. At left is City Councilwoman Mary Deming Barber and an unidentified guest. Photo by Ed Friedrich

After four years of hearing from residents about the lack of lighted, synthetic-turf fields, in 2017 Gig Harbor purchased the property north of the YMCA (Phases 1A and 1B) and the existing Little League fields (Phase 2).

Teaming with YMCA

The city formed a public-private partnership with the YMCA in which the Y is responsible for financing and developing two lighted, turfed multi-sport fields (Phase 1A) on property between Phase 1B and Costco.

Charlie Davis, president and CEO of YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, said he was driving past some pickleball courts in the Bremerton area. They were packed at 10:30 a.m. Others waited their turn.

“I said, ‘That is here,’” said the demonstrative Davis. “This is about families and individuals having outdoor space for recreation and community. Good things are sometimes hard to get to, and we’re there. What a journey. It’s been worth it.”

Charlie Davis, president and CEO of YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, speaks to the crowd. Photo by Ed Friedrich

Phase 1A will be next. It comprises two lighted, synthetic-turfed multi-sport fields for which the YMCA is responsible for financing and developing under a lease agreement with the city. The Y is raising $7 million for the project. It has received $2 million in private donations and the city provided a $2 million councilmanic bond, Jessie Palmer, senior executive for financial development, said Friday.

Hoping for grants

It has grant requests of $1.5 million and $1.2 million pending with the state Recreation and Conservation Office.

“We’re hoping this might bring attention to what we’re doing next door,” Palmer said of work beginning on Phase 1B. “How come there’s a playground going in and no fields,” people might say. “It’s exciting to see this start.”

Sports complex phases

Future phases

The City Council accepted a feasibility study for Phases 2 and 3 on March 11. Phase 2 includes improving 9.1 acres leased to Gig Harbor Little League to add turf and to re-line fields for multiple sports. Phase 3 includes developing 7.1 acres of forested land just to the south of the YMCA into two lighted, turfed fields for multiple sports.

Consultant BCRA Engineers estimated total construction costs for the sports complex project at about $20.4 million. Phase 2 construction came in at $8.8 million and Phase 3 at $11.6 million. Fundraising hasn’t begun.

PenMet Parks broke ground on a $31.6 million indoor community recreation center at 2416 14th Ave. NW in August.