Snoqualmie Valley School Board members were applauded last week after approving a contract with the Sno Valley Youth Soccer Association for improvements to the soccer field at Chief Kanim Middle School.

They also got an enthusiastic vote of approval from association president Bud Raisio, who reported to the board that his own board had already approved the agreement.

“I think it’s a game changer for kids in the Valley,” said Raisio, speaking at the school board’s meeting Thursday, May 26.

The contract commits the district and association to converting the Chief Kanim Middle School grass field to an artificial turf field with lights, for year-round and night-time use. The total project cost is estimated at $2.1 million and almost half of that amount will be donated by the association, according to the new agreement.

The field was built in 1991 and converted from a cinder track to a rubber track in 2005. According to the staff report, the condition of the field is declining and most activities are being scheduled at alternate venues. However, demand for alternative venues will soon increase, as the school district begins a three-year remodel and reconstruction of Mount Si High School.

Of the school district’s $1.1 million share of the project, $200,000 was allocated for the fields from the $244 million bond approved by voters in February, 2015. Another $400,000 is estimated from impact fees. The remainder would come from the district’s capital projects fund.

In return for its $1 million contribution to the project, the soccer association will receive first priority for using the field for 15 years and a portion of the money will be applied in lieu of field rental fees.

Other improvements considered but deferred included an irrigation system for the remaining grass fields and fencing, estimated at $170,000 and addition of a bathroom facility adjacent to the field and attached to the school building, estimated at $260,000.

The Chief Kanim project is expected to start this summer. Also on the schedule for summer are the demolition of the Mount Si High School baseball and softball fields, permitted last week, and starting in early June, the demolition of several houses adjacent to the high school property. The properties were acquired in the past year, some through a condemnation process, for the high school remodel. Lots will be used in the short term as parking and eventually as the site of new baseball and softball diamonds, with a flexible layout that will allow the baseball field to be used for soccer, as well.

Ground breaking on the high school remodel is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 8.