LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — The Hub Sports Center in Liberty Lake is kicking off an $8 million project to build a walking path and two outdoor fields for soccer, football, rugby and many other sports in an effort to get kids outdoors.
A new fundraising campaign for the facility was also launched this week The Sports Center hopes to add to it in the future.
The center said giving kids year-round access to those sports is what the organization is all about.
“I want this project to be completed today,” said Hub Sports Center executive director Phil Champlin.
According to the Hub, there are only two other synthetic turf fields that are easily accessible to the public.
“I see this opportunity that we have and this need in the community and I want to fill it,” Champlin said. “I really want kids to have more space to play. I’m talking to different user groups out there, they’ve shared with us that there isn’t enough space for them to play and some of these programs are turning kids away.”
Chaplin said an anonymous donor gifted the Hub the money to buy the land next to its indoor facility.
Two of the fields are already under construction and are expected to be open after this fall.
The Hub wants to raise just under $3 million to fully fund the rest of the project.
“We’re actively developing the land into two fields right now. We’ll look to add another two fields in the future, but it expands our capacity to serve and provide more opportunities for more kids to play and participate,” Champlin said.
The health benefits for kids playing sports is a major driving factor for the Hub when it comes to creating more places to play.
“Project Play talks about kids that are active have 40% higher test scores, are less likely to get involved in drugs, smoking or alcohol,” Champlin said.
Champlin said he wants to finish fundraising for the outdoor expansion project by the end of this calendar year. After that, the Hub will kick off the next phase of expanding by adding pickleball, tennis courts and a playground.
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