P>As a strong youth-athletics advocate, I was pleased to see that a settlement had been reached last week on the Tree Farm.

The process of acquiring the piece of land, which sits in the

flood plain, was obviously not without pain. The Douglasses, well respected

members of the business community, felt they were being short-changed for

the value of their property. The city, with little available real estate on the

Valley floor, had few options other than to exercise the process of eminent

domain, whereby they could foreclose on the property. It seemed to be a no-win

situation.

But after appraisals came through and an agreement was reached,

both parties signed on the dotted line and the city of Snoqualmie made their

first investment in baseball fields and a football field.

The announcement that a deal had been struck adds another feather to

the cap of the city in recognizing that downtown Snoqualmie and the Valley

floor should be just as important as the newer Snoqualmie developments. It

also allows Snoqualmie to take a first step in assuring that our younger Valley

residents have a place to participate in structured youth athletics, a facility that

has been sorely needed in the city.

In the past, Weyerhaeuser had long been the only source, in addition to

the school district, for athletic facilities. I can remember when I was a kid,

watching many games at the field across the Meadowbrook bridge on the mill

site. Watching Bill Dalman – now a city employee – play a few games of

Little League baseball.

If it brings back great memories for me, on one old field, think of the

memories that our kids will have on the new complex.

As I have said before, structured youth athletics is a necessary element

in raising a child. It teaches teamwork, hard work, goal setting, practice skills

and provides a child the opportunity to feel success.

I commend the city on its decision to locate this complex at the Tree

Farm site and would personally like to thank all involved with its creation.

So who do I call about scheduling?

Jim McKiernan