PORT ANGELES – An application for a donated inflatable field house for tennis and soccer was unanimously – but conditionally – endorsed by the City Council at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Those conditions include locating the building in the city if possible but without designating a specific location now, limiting the financial impact on city residents and encouraging a cooperative agreement to operate and maintain the building.
“We pushed as far as we could. The process must be followed,” said Port Angeles Mayor Karen Rogers.
The council agreed that the Erickson Playfield site that has been proposed for the building and a funding proposal of $50,000 in annual lodging tax for seven years could be mentioned in a separate support letter.
The Pacific Northwest division of the U.S. Tennis Association is accepting applications until Nov. 12 from nonprofit organizations for the donation of a air-supported building, dubbed “The Bubble” by its manufacturer.
The building is now in storage at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
The only expense would be the estimated shipping cost of up to $20,000.
James Schouten, who brought the proposal to the city, sought the council’s endorsement of the application being submitted by the Clallam County Family YMCA and the building being located at Erickson Playfield, as well as a commitment of $50,000 in city lodging taxes for seven years to finance it.
The only objection he has heard is losing a small grassy play area near the Port Angeles Skate Park was built.
He said that it is too small to be very usable anyway.
City Attorney Bill Bloor said there are specific processes for approving a project site and dedicating lodging tax funds – and that those processes haven’t happened yet.
So the council couldn’t be specific regarding location or city funding in its motion endorsing the project application, he said.
City Manager Mark Madsen said the project would require a permit application, staff review and possibly, a planning commission review and a State Environmental Policy Act analysis.
Steve Charno, president of the YMCA board of directors, said that organization was asked by several groups to sponsor the application.
When Councilman Larry Williams asked if the YMCA would be willing to own, operate and maintain the building, Charno said that if the community was willing, the YMCA would do it.
Councilwoman Betsy Wharton said that since city land and taxes are being requested, she is concerned about the city’s liability for unexpected costs.
The city has requests to renovate Civic Field and also needs a new swimming pool, she said.
Schouten said the building could be supported by user fees.
It’s not unusual for cities smaller than Port Angeles to support such buildings, he said.
The estimated $700,000 donation is generous and the estimated 20-year life span is a conservative one, he said.
City Fire Marshal Ken Dubuc said the international fire code exempts buildings that size from having sprinklers only if they are used for participant sports, not spectator sports.
Spectator areas would require a sprinkler system, he said.
Councilman Larry Williams said he would make a plug for a metropolitan park district so that projects such as this could be funded by a larger tax base and not affect the city budget.
“Indoor tennis has been a goal in this city forever. My body wore out waiting for it,” said Councilwoman Edna Petersen.
After the meeting, Schouten said, “It’s unfortunate the process doesn’t allow a stronger commitment at the Erickson Playfield site.
“But everyone else is up against the same restrictions, so I hope we can still make a very favorable application.”
