The City of Gig Harbor and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties have signed a lease agreement that will enable the YMCA to fundraise, construct, and operate two new synthetic turf athletic fields in Gig Harbor.
“I’m excited that we’ve reached this milestone and can move forward with the project,” said Mayor Kit Kuhn. “I’ve been working with council, staff, and the Y over the last three years to help get us this far, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and the timelines we’ve set. I’m pleased with this agreement - the attention to detail is remarkable, and we worked through many hurdles together.”
Referred to as Phase 1A of the Sports Complex, the YMCA will develop two synthetic turf fields adjacent to the YMCA that will accommodate soccer, football, lacrosse, and other field sports. The fields will include lighting, 100 parking stalls, restrooms, and a concession structure. The YMCA will operate and maintain these facilities and make them available to the public when not reserved for sports practices, games, or other events.
“There is a critical need for these playfields and safe outdoor spaces,” said Charlie Davis, YMCA President and CEO. “Gig Harbor is a growing community and we have an opportunity to play a role in providing safe spaces for children to develop their skills, as well as helping to create a space that brings people and community together.”
The signed lease allows the Y to begin fundraising to help design and construction of the new athletic fields, estimated at $6.8 million. The City will allocate a $350,000 Recreation and Conservation Office Youth Athletic Facilities grant toward the construction of the project.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Y will have until spring 2023 to raise the funds and begin construction of the project. The project needs to be completed by December 2024. The City will develop the property separating the future athletic fields and the Tom Taylor Family YMCA facility, referred to as Phase 1B, with new playgrounds, pickle ball and bocce ball courts, and an event lawn. Construction of Phase 1B will begin construction as early as spring 2022 and completed prior to the athletic fields.
The new athletic fields will be constructed on undeveloped, city-owned property located to the north of the existing Tom Taylor Family YMCA on Harbor Hill Drive. The City purchased the 11-acre parcel from Olympic Property Group in 2016 to add to the City’s vision of a regional sports complex.
Phase 1A and 1B are the first phases of the City’s larger master plan for the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, which includes the YMCA facility, the Gig Harbor Little League fields to the southeast, and an additional undeveloped six-acre parcel south of the YMCA. The master plan for the Sports Complex was developed in summer 2018 and identified three phases of work to increase field and recreational capacity in Gig Harbor.
For more information about Phase 1A of the Sports Complex or to donate, please visit the YMCA’s website.
Additional information about the Sports Complex is available on the City’s website.