Progress For Friday Harbor Community Fields

Soccer on the Field – Photo by Paul Hopkins

John Kurtz, Chairman of the Friday Harbor Fields Board, sent in this progress report.

Hello Everyone, I  want to let you know the positive developments that are taking place at the Community field’s athletic site.  The Friday Harbor Fields Board, made up of youth sports programs representatives, Island Rec, SJISD, a neighborhood representative, and directors from the community, combined efforts to get the ball fields moving forward again.  In December 2013 an anonymous donor became interested in supporting the construction of the fields.  With a new financial commitment, FHAA, Island Parks and Recreation (Island Rec), and SJISD agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding outlining construction and development of the property. 

Previous project manager Don Galt Sr. has retired.  FHFB is thankful for his years of service and the donations he raised totaling of over $1.7 million.  In May 2014, the FHFB hired landscape architect Robert W. Droll to design and engineer the park.  Detailed plans and an estimated budget has been submitted.  Lowe Construction was hired in July to oversee construction of the park.  Lowe will take the lead on construction and oversee subcontractor work to keep the project moving forward.

The club house, concession stand, and restrooms have been substantially completed.  The fencing is installed and the gates have been added for neighborhood access and security.   Retention ponds have been upgraded and inspected. FHFB contracted with Lawson construction to complete sidewalks and on Carter Avenue.  The Town of Friday Harbor has been working closely with the FHFB to satisfy the requirements of the Conditional Use Permit. 

With High school Football, Boys and Girls soccer all starting August 25^th there was not enough field space, displacing as many as 330 youth participants.  When FHFB informed the town Council that we could not finish the Upper Carter sidewalk before October 1, 2014, the Town of Friday Harbor granted a 60 day temporary use permit allowing High School Boys and Girls soccer to practice from 3-7pm Monday through Friday. We are thankful to the Town Council to allow student athletes access to the park.  FHFB will need to finish the upper Carter sidewalk within those 60 days.

FHFB is seeking to complete the park by asking for contributions to match the donor’s funding. made by the donor to match funds.  The funds will be used to expand the park for future needs of the community and to create the fields as an exceptional community asset.

Island Rec has become an active part of the field’s board to ensure high quality development standards.  When the park is completed and Island Rec has passed a Levy, FHAA would reassign its lease with San Juan Island School district to Island Rec, who will work with an Advisory board made up of community partners.

We are all very excited that the Park is moving forward.  We hope to have the sidewalks and Clubhouse completed and the first field ready to play on by October 1, 2014.  Thanks to so many partners and volunteers for making this dream become a reality.

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