PORT ANGELES — After first meeting 10 months ago, the Civic Field Steering Committee has concluded that a new property tax is the way to go to save the aging sports facility.
Steve Zenovic, a committee member, said he will present the group’s recommendation at the City Council 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday in the council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
The recommendation involves raising about $4 million through a special property tax, which would have to be approved by voters, to replace faulty lighting, a boiler and the grass field with artificial turf at the field at Race and Fourth streets.
That encompasses about half of the potential improvements listed in an field assessment paid for by the city.
The city would have to determine the rate of the tax, if it decides to propose it to voters.
Artificial turf would resolve the field’s drainage problems and qualify the facility to host playoff games, Zenovic said.
At between $2.4 million and $3 million, artificial turf would make up the bulk of the cost.
Zenovic said the committee feels confident that voters would support the new tax, and pointed to the successful effort to save the William Shore Memorial Pool as an example.
“I think when it’s important to our community, people step up,” he said.
Zenovic said the committee considered grants and sponsorships but both seemed unlikely to produce enough funds.
Civic Field is a multi-purpose sports field and stadium with covered seating for 2,500 and field lighting for evening events.
All of Port Angeles High School’s home games for soccer, baseball and football are played at the field.
The City Council has already shown interest in asking voters to approve a new property tax for the field and redevelopment of the waterfront.
But that would come with the stipulation that it would not result in residents paying more taxes than they do currently.
Residents will begin to pay less next year for their property taxes with the lapsing of the Port Angeles Senior Center levy.
City staff have said that a new levy could be proposed for the field and waterfront improvements that would be equal to the Senior Center levy, which is about 14 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
