King County signs agreement to create new synthetic soccer field in Northshore area

2005 Archived News

King County Executive Ron Sims today announced an agreement to bring a new synthetic turf athletic field to the Northshore area that will serve thousands of young soccer players.

The three-way agreement is between King County, the City of Bothell and the Northshore Youth Soccer Association (NYSA) to construct, manage, and operate a synthetic turf athletic field at the City of Bothell's North Creek Sportsfield Park.

The deal, which was recently signed by the three parties, commits King County to provide $500,000 towards the project. NYSA will contribute $200,000, and the City of Bothell will provide the remaining balance to re-surface North Creek Sportsfield Park No. 4 with synthetic turf, build a new restroom facility and provide fencing.

"Every kid in King County deserves the opportunity to play sports. It's good for them physically, and organized sports in particular instill important lessons in teamwork and discipline," Sims said. "By working together with Northshore Youth Soccer Association and the City of Bothell, I am pleased today to be able to expand those sorts of opportunities for the young people of Northshore.

"Moreover, this agreement demonstrates to the citizens of King County that we remain committed to a collaborative way of doing business that saves money and meets the needs of our neighbors."

Dave Shipway, NYSA's vice president of competition, said the new field will help meet the tremendous demand for playing fields in the area.

"Our association serves nearly 5,100 players on more than 450 soccer teams around Woodinville, Bothell and Kenmore," he said, adding that the NYSA's Field Development Committee member Jorge Barrera was instrumental in facilitating the agreement.

"King County and Northshore have been working diligently and cooperatively for many years to find a way to build fields in our area, and we are proud to enter into a partnership with the County that will bring premiere facilities to our members, players in the Northshore area and the general public," Shipway said.

Synthetic turf fields are superior to grass or sand fields because they can be used for a number of sports, are less expensive to maintain and can be used year-round. The cost to maintain synthetic turf fields is approximately $6,000 annually, compared to $30,000 per year for a sand field and $35,000 per year for a grass field.

Because they can be used year-round, synthetic surface fields generate more revenue than grass and sand fields, which are only usable for a part of the year.

Under the agreement the City of Bothell will be responsible for constructing the synthetic turf field, restroom and fencing. The City will also operate and maintain the field with a percentage of the field times allocated to NYSA and the general public's use.

King County's financial contribution will come predominantly from capital funds, supported by the real estate excise tax, a source that has remained stable through recent tough economic times, and not from maintenance and operations funds, which the 2002 county park levy supports.

"In order for us to develop new recreation facilities we must find creative, new ways of doing business," said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown. "Usually, providing a new facility would bring new maintenance and operations costs. This partnership with Northshore Youth Soccer Association and the City of Bothell brings enhanced recreation facilities to King County, but not demands on funding for maintenance and operations."

More information on the NYSA is available online at www.Northshoresoccer.org, via e-mail by contacting NYSA President Deb Sternagel at President@northshoresoccer.org, or (425) 486-5106.