PORT ANGELES — The Friends of the Fieldhouse will bring a proposal for an inflatable sports shelter at Erickson Park to the Port Angeles parks commission on Sept. 18.
James Schouten of Friends of the Fieldhouse said the group hopes that the Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Commission will recommend that the City Council approve the site for the structure known as the Bubble.
The nearly 5-year-old structure could hold up to 240 spectators, and provide a place to play soccer, lacrosse, T-ball, tennis, volleyball, basketball and other sports, he said.
It is expected to be usable for about another 15 years.
The 296-foot-long, 118-foot-wide, 40-foot-high structure kept upright by air pressure has been in storage in a private hanger at William R. Fairchild International Airport since it was brought from New Jersey in January.
The Bubble was awarded to the Clallam County YMCA by the U.S. Tennis Association in New Jersey for free, so long as $17,500 in shipping costs were paid.
YMCA board president Steve Charno had said that the YMCA would manage the Bubble without city subsidy if it were in Erickson Park, close to the YMCA building at Third and Francis streets.
The YMCA would own it, said Shouten and Dan Maguire, YMCA executive director, on Saturday.
