It's only been three months since Monroe voters approved the Monroe Public Schools 2015 bond measure, and the athletic field improvements at Monroe High School (17001 Tester Rd.) are already underway.
Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Fredrika Smith visited the site on Tuesday, July 14, to attend the celebratory groundbreaking ceremony. Also in attendance were several school board members, members of the Monroe City Council, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, athletes, coaches and parents.
Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas gave a brief presentation before the shovels hit the dirt.
"One of the things that tax payers like to see is that when they vote for something, that the work actually gets done,GÇ¥ Thomas said. "One of the things that's really cool about this is that the public voted to support our schools just a couple months ago, and you're looking at breaking ground today. That's just simply a wonderful thing.GÇ¥
Although the proposed athletic field improvements were partially contingent on the passage of the school's 2015 bond measure, funds for the first phase of the ballfield project had already been secured through a $250,000 Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) grant, timber sales, school district funds and a $100,000 grant from the city of Monroe.
Because of this previously secured funding, construction of the new ballfield was scheduled to begin right away.
The first phase of the project will construct a 215-foot competition-level artificial turf, fast-pitch softball field, including sub-surface drainage improvements and new lighting. Other elements of phase one will include a new backstop, field fencing, batting cages, bullpens, covered dugouts and bleachers. The new field will be completed sometime in October and will cost close to $1 million.
Phase two will construct an additional 200-foot, artificial turf, fast-pitch softball field and a 325-foot by 390-foot baseball field. Funded via the successful April 2015 bond measure, the cost of phase two is being estimated at $3.3 million.
The district is hoping to fast-track the second phase of the project, slating it for completion in spring of 2016.
The new fields will enhance athletic opportunities and boost safety for students, who currently must travel off-campus to participate in certain sports. The new fields will also provide tournament space that can be utilized by the city and other agencies from across the county, resulting in overarching economic benefit to the city.
It was the anticipated economic benefit that enabled the district to fulfill criteria stipulated by the Snohomish County Tourism Promotion Area Grant Board. Originally granted TPA funds for the ballfield project in 2012, the district had been unable to generate the required matching funds. The district was in a much stronger position this time around, particularly after the bond passed in April.
It is estimated that the new ballfields will generate 1,350 overnight stays per year.
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