West Valley Middle School plans to build new sports fields

by Melissa Sanchez
Yakima Herald-Republic

Links
Email_black_18  E-mail           Print_black_18  Print            Talk_black_18  Comments
Advertisement

More 'Local'

  1. Chinook Pass closed due to heavy snow, avalanche danger
  2. Forum will focus on developmental disabilities
  3. Friendly 'surgeons' will mend dolls, stuffed animals
  4. Toys for Tots collection begins
  5. Mattawa man injured in rollover
  6. Memorial held for slain Seattle officer
  7. State agencies sign water quality roadmap
More Stories:   Today's News | This Week

 

If all goes according to plan, West Valley Middle School soccer and baseball players will practice and play on their own campus by next summer’s end.

The district is in the early stages of turning a vacant, 10.74-acre plot adjacent to the school into athletic fields — a project expected to cost around $800,000.

Currently, baseball and soccer teams are bused to Wide Hollow and Cottonwood elementary schools, said Tom Fleming, district super-intendent of business and operations.

“We’re trying to make it so all the facilities are by the school,” he said, adding he hopes the bidding process can begin in March, and construction by May.

The project must first go through a city environmental review because a portion of the site contains two wetland areas that are part of Wide Hollow Creek. The northernmost part of the property will be left undisturbed to maintain a natural buffer zone between the fields and the creek and to protect the wetland areas, Fleming said.

The school district’s plans include converting two existing softball fields at the middle school into baseball fields and constructing a storage building with bathrooms. When the project is finished, the school will have two softball fields, two baseball fields and two soccer fields — which may also be used for middle school gym classes.

Money for the project will come from a capital project fund and expected proceeds from selling district property near Cottonwood Elementary School.

The city encourages residents to review and comment on the proposed project, as it fits under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act. All written comments received before Jan. 12 will be considered before the district can get a go-ahead on the project. They can be mailed to: Bruce Benson, Acting Planning Manager, City of Yakima, Department of Community & Economic Developments, 129 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA 98901.

Also, an open public hearing on the project will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 12 at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 129 N. 2nd St.


• Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.



Commentsicon2
Log in or Register to leave a comment.

Posting Guidelines - Updated Aug. 21 2009
Readers are encouraged to use these forums to discuss issues affecting the Yakima Valley. Debate the ideas presented in stories and other comments, but refrain from personal attacks and offensive remarks aimed at others; e.g., you may call an idea idiotic, but don't say the person is an idiot. The Herald-Republic reserves the right to remove any comment for any reason. Examples include material that is obscene, encourages illegal activity or stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and other factors. Continued violation of these guidelines can lead to suspension or revocation of your ability to post comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate, you can bring it to our attention by clicking the "report violation" link by each comment. Guidelines revised Aug. 21, 2009.

Registered User?