MILL CREEK — The city won’t pursue state funds anytime soon to expand the city-owned Mill Creek Sports Park.
City Council members decided last week to shelve a proposed sports-park master plan, which would have opened the door to possible future funding, until the city’s financial footing is on firmer ground.
The council had directed city staff in February 2008 to prepare a master plan for future expansion of the sports park, said Bill Trimm, the city’s community development director.
Trimm estimated it would cost $174,055 and take the consultant about six to eight months to put the plan together. That plan, which would involve public feedback, was a necessary step if the city wanted to vie for state construction funds, Trimm said.
A preliminary city budget for expansion of the sports park came to more than $9.5 million. The council was quick to reject the master plan, saying though it might be a good option at some point, but now is not a good time.
“We can’t justify spending $9 million on it at this time, that I would agree with,” said Mayor Terry Ryan, after the council’s unanimous decision.
The Mill Creek Sports Park, 13903 North Creek Drive, opened in 2005 and includes a baseball-softball field and a multipurpose field. In March 2008, the city purchased land next to the sports park that could eventually become part of an expanded park. The park is used by several organizations, including the Mill Creek Little League.
“I think eventually we’ll expand the park, but this just isn’t the right time,” Ryan said.
Councilmembers Mary Kay Voss and Donna Michelson have opposed spending any more money on the sports park, and Councilman Mike Todd said the city should seek a partnership agreement with the Everett School District to eventually expand the park.
“I haven’t been sold on the idea that we need two fields,” Voss said.
Michelson said, “I am very sorry to disappoint the council, but I am not interested in spending one more penny on the sports park. We have a very nice sports park and we have a lot of other needs.”
Phil McDonald, president of Tyne Castle FC, a select soccer club for youths ages 8 to 18, said his organization doesn’t use the sports park because the soccer field isn’t large enough.
“You can’t play a match on it,” he said. “We’d love to call it a home field but the size of it doesn’t meet the playing requirements.”
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