City, Schools Close in on Agreement for Use of New Astroturf Field

It looks like the Enumclaw City Council will decide tonight to start out with a use agreement for the new Astroturf field at the Expo Center and work toward a lease agreement later with the school district.

The meeting starts at 7:30 at City Hall.

Also, a request has been made to move the completion date back to Sept. 1. So the Enumclaw High School football team could still have its first home football game against Yelm Sept. 2, but a scrimmage planned for Aug. 26 would be canceled.

The two governmental agencies have been at odds over use of the field. The school district wants a 25-year lease and the ability to charge rates it wants to help recoup costs and have the abililty to replace the turf when it wears out in 10-12 years.

The city wants to make sure its citizens aren't stuck with paying the bill to replace the field. But it also wants to make sure that nonprofit groups, such as junior football leagues, will be able to afford to use the field. It wants an ability to pay fee structure while the schools want to pay a fee comparable to what other groups pay at nearby fields.

At a recent City Council work session, Councilman Jim Beckwith said that he is still concerned that if the policy is based on what other facilities charge not enough money would be collected to maintain the field and replace the turf. He is still in favor of a lease agreement.

"This is a community project not a city project. The school should take the risk," he said, according to minutes of the meeting.

Mike Nelson, school district superintendent, said he wants to continue negotiations on a 25-year-lease, but the latest draft use agreement is a collaboration of areas the entities have agreed on concerning the Astroturf field.

City Administrator Mike Thomas presented a draft use policy that would be for any organization that uses the facility. It would have an hourly rate, along with other fees for lights and concessions.

Part of the $900,000 revamping of the field came from grant money. Public Works Director Chris Searcy found out that the grant program expects some money to be set aside for turf replacement.

City Attorney Mike Reynolds talked about the process between the two government entities.

“It has been frustrating for all of us. You have two entities tight on money. If there is no agreement by the time the season starts that’s fine. This will not hold up any games being played there. We could also go with the use policy and see how that works for awhile.”