Proposal could open door to year-round sports play in Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Merkel Sports Complex, a familiar site for Spokane families involved in youth sports and league play, remains unused during late fall and early spring due to weather and darkness.

Spokane Parks Department explained that these conditions are major factors limiting the complex’s use. However, there is a plan to change that, allowing the fields to host games and practices into the night and year-round.

The Spokane Public School System and Spokane Park Board are working through the Together Spokane initiative. This plan includes doubling the size of Merkel by adding new all-weather fields with lighting. The improvements will help fields drain effectively and provide solid footing for athletes. The lighting will enable league play into the evening hours.

Otto Klein, Senior Vice President of the Spokane Indians, emphasized the demand for expanded field access. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a volleyball, basketball, or baseball and softball. Those programs have just skyrocketed, but the fields have stayed the same,” he said. “We need to make the days longer with our field conditions, and then adding lights to a lot of these facilities is going to be a game changer as well.”

In addition to Merkel, Spokane Public Schools and the Parks Board identified several other field locations that could benefit from all weather and upgrades and lighting. 

 Potential locations include:

• North Central’s athletic field

• Rogers’ athletic field

• Harmon Park (could serve Rogers High School)

• Lewis & Clark’s Hart Field

• Ferris’ athletic field

• Southeast Sports Complex (could serve Ferris or Lewis and Clark High School)

The project requires voter support to raise the necessary funds. The Together Spokane initiative aims to raise $240 million for Spokane Parks and Recreation through a levy and $200 million for Spokane Public Schools through a bond. Voter approval of the bond and levy would increase property taxes by approximately $8 for the median homeowner.

Together Spokane is presented as a joint partnership to help fund over 200 park and school projects throughout the city. More details on these projects can be found on the Together Spokane website.