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Before ground was broken on new fields at the Gig Harbor Sports Complex Saturday, Mayor Mary Barber had already coined a name.
“It’s been 15 or more years and we’re finally here today,” she told the crowd during an onsite ceremony north of the Tom Taylor Family YMCA. “It should be named Perseverance Park because of all the folks who stayed with us through thick and thin.”
An enduring collaboration between the city and YMCA will result in kids playing soccer, lacrosse, football and T-ball by December on two synthetic-turfed, lighted fields.
Many to thank
Barber’s theme recurred through five speakers who thanked hundreds of people for helping to finally shove golden shovels into dirt. Those recognized included city and YMCA officials, staffs, and boards; local sports organizations; state and county lawmakers; donors; contracting consultants; fundraising party hosts; and campaign fundraisers. Many attended. Several were away, fittingly, at sporting events.
From left, former Gig Harbor Mayor Tracie Markley, City Councilman Reid Ekberg, Mayor Mary Barber, Councilman Seth Storset, Councilwoman Em Stone, State Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, Councilman Le Rodenberg, City Administrator Katrina Knutson and Councilwoman Jeni Woock break ground. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
Tom Taylor led the way
Charlie Davis, president and CEO of YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, saluted the local YMCA’s namesake.
“Tom Taylor was the unbelievable driving force to make this happen,” he said of the longtime contributor. “He’s what it takes to get the community behind what they want.”
Taylor said the white-crowned Davis’ hair was black when the effort began.
“It’s been a long road, about 10 years,” Taylor said. “It’s been a real adventure getting to where we are today.”
Tom Taylor
The YMCA and city began talks to develop community fields in 2014. The Y had its eyes on 11.5 undeveloped acres between it and Costco. The city bought the property from Harbor Hill LLC for $3.5 million in 2017.
The Y signed a lease with the city in 2021 (updated in March) for it to build two 360-by-210-foot synthetic-turf fields with lighting, fencing, 100 parking stalls, landscaping and driveways on the land. The Y will be responsible for operating, maintaining and scheduling the fields. It will make them available to the public when not rented or scheduled for practices or games.
The lease is for 35 years with three 20-year options. Rent is $1.
Funded by donors, city, state
With the estimated project cost of $7.5 million, the YMCA raised $3.6 million from more than 180 local donors, said Jesse Palmer, the Y’s senior executive for financial development. The city provided $2 million from Hospital Benefit Funding designated for public improvement projects near St. Anthony Hospital. For that contribution, it will own the parking lot and driveway. It added $130,000 from real estate excise taxes and $200,000 from a legislative appropriation.
The Legislature allotted $1 million in its recently passed capital budget that is awaiting the governor’s signature. The YMCA will continue to raise funds during construction, Palmer said.
Sports complex phases
Five local contractors volunteered to review and perfect plans and help select a builder, Taylor said. He credits them for a below-estimate $7.2 million agreement with Pease Construction. Work should begin within the next two weeks, he said.
Unmet demand for fields
The city and YMCA determined that playing fields are among the area’s most-needed recreational amenities. More than 9,000 local youths participate in field sports, said YMCA External Communications Manager Jyot Sandhu. Sports groups limit participants or put kids on waiting lists because there aren’t enough fields to satisfy demand, he said.
Synthetic-turf fields help prevent cancelations from bad weather. Lighting makes them available for longer hours.
“My husband and I raised three kids in this community,” said Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor. “We know how difficult it is to get access to fields. To be able to have turf fields with lights is a great accomplishment.”
Gig Harbor kids have needed more fields for years, and the YMCA is humbled by community and city support that helped deliver them, said CEO Davis.
“Kids need more outdoor spaces where they can play sports and stay physically active,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful to the families, individuals and city of Gig Harbor for helping make this happen.”
YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties President and CEO Charlie Davis.
The new fields will also provide the potential to attract tournaments that bring in visitors who boost nearby businesses, said Mayor Barber.
“This public-private partnership that we initiated with the YMCA over a decade ago is a great example of how we can come together to create more places for kids to play, grow and thrive,” she said. “It’s exciting to finally see this vision taking shape that will ensure a vibrant Maritime City for future generations.”
More phases in the works
The fields are Phase 1A of the city’s sports complex master plan. The $5.5 million Phase 1B, also being built by Pease Construction between the YMCA parking lot and new fields, is targeted to open late this month or in early June, Barber said.
It will include six pickleball courts, three bocce ball courts, a performance stage, an event lawn, a playground, picnic shelters and a bathroom/concession building. It was recently named for former Olympian and Peninsula High graduate Doris Heritage.
YMCA senior executives and board members. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
Phases 2 and 3 are not funded. Phase 2 includes improving 9.1 acres the city purchased in 2017 and leases to Gig Harbor Little League by adding synthetic turf and to re-lining fields for multiple sports. Phase 3 includes developing 7.1 acres of forested land the city bought in 2011 just to the south of the YMCA into two lighted, turfed fields for multiple sports.
But that’s for later. CEO Davis urged the crowd to enjoy breaking ground on Phase 1A.
“It was about community grassroots,” he said. “You’re all part of this. You made this happen. We’ve got more phases to go, but let’s celebrate this one now.”
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