WWPS details options for improving sports facilities

By on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

WALLA WALLA โ€“ Two options โ€“ a comparable plan and comprehensive plan โ€“ 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 Tuesdayโ€™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 communityโ€™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