City seeks state grant for sports complex through federal land conservation fund

In a short meeting last week, the Gig Harbor City Council authorized the city to seek a $500,000 state grant toward the first phase of construction of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex.

The complex, long sought by Gig Harbor youth and sports groups, is to be built north of the YMCA at 10550 Harbor Hill Dr. The site is west of Harbor Hill Drive and generally southeast of Costco.

Phase 1B of the plan includes bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, playground, an event lawn and associated parking.

During a 50-minute meeting on May 11, the Gig Harbor city council unanimously approved a resolution supporting an application to the state Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

“It’s a great opportunity,” Parks Manager Nicole Jones-Vogel told the council.

It is estimated that the cost of phase 1B will be approximately $2 million. The grant application seeks the maximum LWCF amount of $500,000, which would be partially matched by the city.

This is the second grant the city is pursuing for phase 1B. On April 27, council approved an application submission for a Wildife and Recreation Program grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office, aiming to seek the maximum $500,000 amount.

If the LWCF grant is approved, the remaining $1.5 million is proposed to come from the HBZ funds, along with the possible $500,000 RCO Wildlife grant. These grants are both federal dollars passed through the state.

“If we were to get both grants it would total $1 million toward this project,” Jones-Vogel said.

The Wildlife and Water Conservation Fund is a federal grant program created by Congress in 1965 and administered through the U.S. Department of the Interior through the state Recreation and Conservation Office. Funding comes from the sale and lease of federal off-shore oil and gas resources.

In 2020, the state has $6 million to distribute. Grants are made by competitive application, and decisions are announced in November.

Last year, typical grants went to an urban playground and spray park in Seattle, a pool in Fircrest, rehabilitation of a city park in Wenatchee, and improvements to Fort Borst Park in Centralia, among others.

The grant would come with some additional federal requirements, such as placing a deed restriction on the property so that it remains a park amenity in perpetuity.

“Any modifications past the life of the project would need review by RCO,” Jones-Vogel said.

Council approved this resolution quickly, with a 7-0 vote.

This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 1:06 AM.