PORT ANGELES — The Friends of the Fieldhouse should find a location other than Erickson Park for its inflatable sports structure, the Port Angeles parks commission said.
In a 4-3 vote on Thursday night, the commission, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Port Angeles City Council, decided that Erickson Park is not the right place for the structure known as the Bubble.
“I’m somewhat disappointed by the decision,” said James Schouten of Friends of the Fieldhouse.
“Ultimately, they are only an advisory board.”
He said the group will ask the Port Angeles City Council to approve locating the Bubble at Erickson Park, “as soon as we can get on their agenda.”
Parks Commissioner Charles Whidden said the Bubble — a 296-foot-long, 118-foot-wide, 40-foot tall structure kept aloft by air pressure — would be too disruptive in the park at Third and Francis streets near the Clallam County YMCA.
Although he supports having it somewhere in the city — specifically suggesting a spot west of Volunteer Park — he called Erickson Park, “a lousy location.”
Commission Chairwoman Jean Hordyk, who opposed the group’s decision, supported locating the Bubble at Erickson Park.
“It would enhance our community in many ways,” she said.
