SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation want voters to approve funding for projects across the city through the Together Spokane Initiative.
The initiative would fund renovations at Garry Middle School in northeast Spokane. The school needs to move its office from the middle of the building to the front.
“Then we’re able to fully leverage the single point of entry technology that we have where visitors are able to come in, staff are able to then identify who is visiting, what purpose do they have for coming to the school and then they can let them in,” said Adam Swinyard, superintendent of Spokane Public Schools.
Swinyard says many kids and families in northeast Spokane don’t have enough fields and parks available.
“We want spaces for those kids to go so they can be engaged in healthy, positive activities. With lighting, with the right infrastructure so we keep them safe, and we can keep them moving and doing things,” Swinyard said.
If approved, the project would build up to 15 all-weather turf fields with lighting across Spokane. It would also renovate parks in the area.
Spokane City Councilman Michael Cathcart says northeast Spokane needs investment.
“We need a lot of investment and resources to bring us up to a standard that’s somewhat similar to northwest Spokane and a lot more to get up to the South Hill. We have to do a lot of investing,” Cathcart said.
Jene Ray, director of the Northeast Community Center Zone, says the initiative would help kids’ mental health.
“We’re looking at a generation that isn’t used to being outside and playing or connecting with other kids so we have to develop spaces to rebuild those skills and it’s very important for youth,” Ray said.
The Together Spokane Initiative includes dozens of projects across the city. Voters will decide whether to approve the funding.
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