WWPS details options for improving sports facilities
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Two options – a comparable plan and comprehensive plan – were presented to the Walla Walla School Board Tuesday night for improving outdoor athletic and activity facilities by a 20-member independent committee.
The comparable plan relies on a one-time, 38-cents six-year capital levy. Improvements include constructing a multi-purpose complex at Walla Walla High School, replacing the failing 60-year-old original tennis courts at Wa-Hi and relocating the new tennis/pickleball courts to Murr Sports Park, installing an all-weather track at Pioneer Middle School, repairing the 43-year-old tennis courts (Chubb Courts) at Garrison Middle School, and resurfacing the 20-year-old track at a total cost of $15.2 million.
The comprehensive plan relies on a one-time, 49-cents six-year capital levy to address all the previously mentioned components in previous option. It would also provide additional seating and a larger announcers/press box with elevator access at the multi-sport complex at Wa-Hi and replacing the 55-year-old west tennis courts (Cobain Courts) at Garrison Middle School at a total cost of $19.4 million.
No action was taken at Tuesday’s school board meeting. Board members requested the district conduct stakeholder outreach, engagement, and surveying over the next three months to determine which of the two plans best meets the community’s priorities for improvements.
For more information on the recommendations, including plan options, architectural renders, site maps and cost breakdowns, visit www.wwps.org/oaafc.
Architectural rendering of proposed multi-sport complex at Wa-Hi via WWPS
Editor’s note: The school district determined the names of the two plans
