BMCC supports the sports complex
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Round-Up City Development Corporation has state funding to begin work on the infrastructure for the Pendleton Sports Complex on the west side of town, and one of its supporters in the project is Blue Mountain Community College.
“We are very, very supportive of the project,” BMCC President Mark Browning said. “We’ve been fortunate to be involved. We’ve advocated for it with the Oregon Legislature and I’m thrilled to see that they, the legislature, see the potential for sports tourism.”
There is no regulation-sized soccer field in the city of Pendleton. Soccer fields are generally wider than American football fields. BMCC now has men’s and women’s soccer, but Browning said they can’t offer an acceptable field for community college tournaments.
“We can’t host tournaments that have further implications in regional or national standings,” he said. “With the complex, we could bid for the conference tournaments.”
Browning said there are lodging, restaurants, and a known brand as a tourist facility. He said the complex will also make a big difference for youth baseball, softball, and soccer teams. “I think it’s a brilliant concept,” he said.
