In this week’s issue of the Valley Record comes the article about a group of Snoqualmie Ridge residents wanting to change the Snoqualmie Parks Plan so that the Snoqualmie Community Center can be built now instead of when it was planned, in four to five years.
In their proposal, drafted by Snoqualmie Ridge resident John
Jamieson, they ask the city (actually, it’s a demand) to take the funds allocated for
the new Snoqualmie ball fields, which they deem is $2.5 million, plus the
seed money from Weyerhaeuser, of which there was originally $750K, and use it
to immediately start construction of the Center.
The expected cost of phase one of the Community Center is $4 million
in today’s dollars. Granted, every year the project is delayed, the cost will
increase. But then come the operational expenses.
At this point, with Snoqualmie’s population where it is, can a
Community Center support itself without being heavily supplemented with tax
dollars? Now keep in mind that phase one, at this point in time, does not have the
pool, which many residents have said was also a huge part of people’s
expectations. That piece would add another $4 million.
So here is the plan, to take the $2.5 million and not build the ball fields
but build the Community Center. Hmmm … I could have sworn that a Parks
Board has spent years putting a Master Parks Plan for the entire city together, not
just for Snoqualmie Ridge. And when inadequate space became a problem for
the ball fields on Snoqualmie Ridge, the board implemented alternative planning.
Maybe it’s not so clear to everyone, but let’s spell it out. Snoqualmie
does not have one municipal ball field. Yes, there are approximately eight (not 16)
at various school locations in Snoqualmie, but with the growth of the whole
Upper Valley comes the need for more youth recreational facilities. And
most folks recognize that strong youth athletic programs are something this
Valley has worked for and needed for many years. The benefits can be seen in
youth graduating from Mount Si who go on to bigger and better things, making
significant contributions to society. Hey, maybe a Community Center can do
the same thing, but not at the expense of ball fields.
Another aspect of Jamieson’s argument was that the Ridge would not
be able to use the ball fields if built. To date, I know of no member of
Sno-Valley Little League’s board that has said they could not use the fields. The league
has always made concessions with other organizations and worked out an
equitable schedule on all fields they share. So the argument that Ridge kids
can’t use the ball fields to be built at the tree farm is not only wrong but is
offensive to many of us who have put in many hours building youth athletic programs.
In addition, Jamieson argues that it would be easier to raise funds for
ball fields than for a Community Center. Hey, after having done a lot of
fund-raising in the Valley for youth athletics, I would say it is highly unlikely that
the cost of the ball field complex would come entirely from the Valley. In fact,
for either structure, the Community Center or ball fields, a fund-raising
campaign would need to focus on corporate donations, not rely on the hometown
folks and small businesses. Maybe the proposing group can find a person to put
in the role of a fund-raising campaign chair since they think it would be easier
to raise funds for a ball field. In fact, I would bet any of the Valley’s Little
League boards would welcome their participation as a fund-raiser.
And let’s remember that much of the money for things like ball fields
and parks is mitigation money. It’s money set aside by Weyerhaeuser to
mitigate the impacts of Snoqualmie Ridge to the city of Snoqualmie. Yes, the
Community Center can be considered a mitigation for the whole city, but so are the
ball fields.
This is not money generated by Ridge residents but is, in fact,
money Weyerhaeuser had to contribute to even get the project approved. It’s
actually the entire city’s money to be used to add amenities to the city for the
purposes of mitigating a total transformation of a rural community.
Frankly, I think Weyerhaeuser should pay the entire cost of the ball
fields and the cost of the Community Center with a pool. The values projected for
the project are likely increasing at a faster pace than they anticipated. Due to
the hot market, properties are turning over faster than many thought possible.
Somehow, through no fault of either area of Snoqualmie, there is the
old “us versus them” attitude building, despite many local efforts to welcome
everyone to the Valley. The enemy is not the council, nor the longtime
residents of the Valley. Nope, this problem stems from sales tactics and promises
that, after the purchase is made, may not be exactly as indicated.
I would hope that any sales folks at the Ridge home-finding center
are aware of the resentment they may be creating by telling prospective
buyers that the Community Center will be available soon or that there will be a
pool. The group headed by Jamieson could threaten legal action against
Weyerhaeuser if, in fact, those are some of the promises being made.
For the most part, Valley residents realize that growth is inevitable and
do not blame problems associated with growth on the people purchasing
houses in developments like Snoqualmie Ridge. We look forward to your
participation in Valley activities and sports. We urge you to volunteer for groups
that might interest you or to run for city government or the school board. Our
goals are the same as any new resident’s, to assure that the place we call home is
the best place to raise our families.
As of the printing of this editorial, the Parks Board will have met, but
then the issue will go back to the Planning Commission and ultimately to the
council. Let the current parks plan stand, creating the new ball fields, and let’s get
a professional fund-raiser on the task of amassing Community Center
money. Both sides can win if efforts are pooled.
Jim McKiernan, Publisher
1997-1999 Sno-Valley Little League President
Former member, Snoqualmie Community Center Task Force
