SPOKANE, Wash. — A new bond and levy plan by Spokane School District and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department could put an end to a decade-long legal battle in the Glenrose neighborhood.
On Thursday, SPS and the city presented the “Together Spokane” plan, which aims to transform the city’s future through 200 projects across Spokane.
For years, the Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA) has been trying to build a new sports complex on an open field near 37th Avenue and Glenrose Road.
The Glenrose Neighborhood Association has fought against it, blocking the development, arguing it would disrupt the area’s calm, rural environment.
But if the bond and levy are approved, SYSA could abandon the plan and build a sports complex at Ferris High School instead.
“This would really expand that capacity to get more opportunity for our youth to recreate,” said Garrett Jones, Director of Spokane Parks and Recreation.
The Ferris sports complex would include baseball, football and soccer fields.
SYSA said they would contribute $5 million to help make the fields all-weather fields so kids can play year-round.
Maintenance would be taken care of by the Parks and Rec. Department.
“We’re in the works of figuring out what the next steps there are, but either way, we want to contribute in a significant way to this project, so we are looking forward to helping,” Jones said.
Residents in the Glenrose neighborhood said they would be happy with the plan and that it seems like a win-win.
“If there’s a prospect that there may be an alternate solution and site closer to Ferris High School, I’d be all for it, that would be great,” said Steve Olson, Glenrose Prairie resident.
The bond and levy plan will be put to a vote in November 2025.
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