This field overlay image shows how the Scott Hill Park and SportsComplex in Woodland might look once development is complete.
What today is a vacant field at the end of Scott Hill Road inWoodland will one day become a multiuse sports complex for areayouth and adults.
Organizers envision half a dozen baseball and softball fields, aconcessions stand and announcer booth, three soccer fields that canalso be used for peewee football, a walking trail with workoutstations, a covered area for community gatherings, a playground forlittle ones and plenty of open greenspace.
In order to make the dream of a 39-acre Scott Hill Park andSports Complex a reality, the city of Woodland is teaming up withthe Rotary Club of Woodland.
While it may be several years before the first pitch is thrown inthe new park, the community is already rallying around the project.
'The community is very supportive of this project,' said SandyLarson, Rotary fundraising chair. 'Our community is hungry for it.'
In January 2011, the city of Woodland purchased the land, oncedestined to become an upscale housing development, for $500,000. Thecity used money from two different parks funds designated for parkdevelopment and acquisition, City Clerk Mari Ripp said.
After purchasing the land, however, the city didn't have anymoney to devote to development, Ripp said.
About that time, the Lewis River Little League approached theWoodland Rotary, seeking help to build new ball fields, Larson said.The Rotary was looking for potential park sites when the citypurchased the Scott Hill Road land. From there, the partnership wasborn.
In December, the Woodland City Council approved an agreementbetween the city and the Rotary. According to the agreement, thecity will retain ownership of the park and will be responsible formaintenance. The Rotary Club will raise money and develop the park.The two sides are making adjustments to the contract, which shouldbe finalized soon, Larson said.
Rotary has already held a few small fundraisers -- raffles,concerts and events at local restaurants -- and received donationsfrom local businesses. Those efforts netted more than $33,000,Larson said.
Rotary is anticipating a total price tag of about $6 million to$7 million. A local physician, Dr. Ellis Johnson, paid for apreliminary park design. But until a final design is completed, theactual cost of the project is unknown, Larson said.
Already, though, local contractors are lining up to contribute in-kind services. Area business owners are also expressing interest inmaking donations in exchange for naming rights. And the Rotary grantwriter is getting to work on applications, Larson said.
The current Little League fields aren't far from the Scott HillRoad site, which is adjacent to the city's water treatment plant.But the current complex is small and raises safety concerns withnearby traffic. The city is void of adult ball fields, and youthsoccer leagues use school facilities, said Al Swindell, WoodlandCity Council member and chairman of the council's parks committee.
Organizers hope the new complex will not only draw adults backinto local sports leagues but also attract regional softball,baseball and soccer tournaments.
'There's nothing in Woodland that you could have any kind oftournament where you get a thousand people,' Swindell said. 'Thiswould be a real game-changer.'
Bringing tournaments to Woodland would mean more business forlocal eateries, gas stations, hotels and stores, he said.
But before the games and tournaments can begin, Rotary has quitea bit of fundraising to do.
Then, in three to five years, members say, it will be time toplay ball.
