Another public meeting was held at Shiloh Hills ElementarySchool last week concerning the Northpointe Sports Complex.
This saga has run so long that the Spokane Parks andRecreation Department distributes a two-page history of the matterat every neighborhood get-together.
The on-again, off-again, would-be 34-acre softball complexjust east of the Division Y is loved by some and hated by others.Supporters have their hearts set on the three-acre park that'ssupposed to come with five lighted softball fields, a skateboardpark, basketball courts and more.But opponents say the park will bring too much traffic,noise, light and drunk drivers.This issue began when I was an intern at the paper. Thetug-of-war may still be around when I retire.The plot got even more juicy when a land-swap was proposedearlier this year. Developer Lanzce Douglass and the parksdepartment are talking about trading properties. Douglass owns landat Crestline and Magnesium that the city won't let him develop forapartment complexes.The city and Nevada-Lidgerwood council approached Douglassabout a possible trade. A public vote is required before the citycan trade or swap park land.Last week's meeting brought together neighbors to address apotential swap. But, as expected, a number of people said they areeven less excited about apartment dwellers living next door thansoftball players.And those favoring Northpointe don't want to see it move toCrestline and Magnesium.Ange Taylor of the parks department said the city has alreadyspent $500,000 on Northpointe for studies and land grading.If a land swap with Douglass was approved, the city would beout a half-million bucks for a 34-acre slice of dirt that neverheld one softball game.Those who oppose the site of the current complex talk abouttheir 'quality of life being jeopardized.' They believe a softballpark would hinder their ability to recline in chaise lounges intheir backyards. It would render them unable to get to sleep by 9p.m., one couple said.But there's a quality of life issue they forget. Neighborhoodkids get a place to play with this complex.Far too many children in Spokane play tag with automobiles asthey ride their bikes and Rollerblades on city streets for fun.Opponents have a legitimate right to be concerned aboutalcohol so close to their homes though.According to a study by a Portland-based planner, the complexcould produce $80,000 profit a year. But that figure is based inpart on beer and wine sales averaging $100,000 yearly.Part of my seldom-squeamish stomach churns when I think ofalcohol at sporting events, although I have to ask those whoattended last week's meeting, 'Who hasn't had a beer at a Chiefs orIndians game?'So here's my alternative to the alcohol issue.Casino gambling. Blackjack and pull tabs; it's the way ofAmerica. Park-goers could even wager on games.The city could then change the name of the complex to PeteRose Park in honor of the all-time hitting great who is stillbanned from pro baseball's Hall of Fame because he bet on sportsgames.But if you don't listen to me, at least listen to CharlieCornell. He made a pretty good point at last week's meeting.'Like it or not, we are in the city now,' Cornell said. 'Likeit or not, the problems have come to us. What we need to do now ismake better what we've got. A park is good.'
