Wasilla sports groups ask council to fund permanent restrooms, parking and drainage at Bumpus complex

Speakers representing Wasilla Youth Soccer Association and Mat‑Su Softball Association urged the Wasilla City Council during the meeting's public comment period to back infrastructure improvements at the city-owned Bumpus sports complex, including permanent restroom facilities, additional parking and drainage repairs.

The request came from multiple nonprofit volunteers and league leaders who said portable restrooms used during seasons are repeatedly vandalized and that parking and flooding problems are limiting safe access. "Our portable restrooms have been damaged and vandalized each year, creating waste and litter that affects the cleanliness of our fields and has cost the club thousands of dollars in damages and cleanup fees," said Todd Smith, who identified himself as a member of the Wasilla Youth Soccer Association board of directors.

Smith told council the soccer organization runs a large recreational program, uses the Bumpus fields for weekday practices and weekend events and expects more than 700 players in the summer recreational program plus additional participants in fall and competitive programs. Dan Fleckenstein, president of the Mat‑Su Softball Association, said his group fields weekly leagues and large tournaments that draw visiting teams and as many as 1,500 people to the ballpark at peak times. He described frequent full parking lots and long lines of cars on Mystery Avenue and said he is concerned about emergency access during tournaments.

Other softball representatives echoed the requests. Michael Gotchling and Adam Imperato, who identified themselves as association board members and executive director, said the park's layout has changed little in decades and that persistent flooding and poor drainage sometimes force cancellations. Imperato said the leagues have worked with Parks and Recreation on possible fixes and asked the council to "voice your support in having improvements on drainage and grading of [the] Bumpus Softball Complex."

Council members and staff acknowledged the comments and noted the projects overlap with items already in the city's Capital Improvement Program. The council did not take a formal vote on funding during the meeting; staff noted the requests would be considered as part of the city budget and CIP process and that the council will discuss capital projects at a later meeting.

The public comments group asked for: permanent running-water restrooms to reduce vandalism and recurring portable-toilet costs; expanded and paved parking to preserve emergency access; and drainage and grading work to reduce seasonal flooding and cancelations.

The council's budget schedule will determine whether funding is added to the FY budget or carried in future CIP planning. Staff said they have already discussed elements of the proposals with Public Works and Parks and Recreation.

The council's next budget hearings and CIP discussions are set to continue in follow-up meetings; staff said they will include these requests in the materials prepared for the capital projects review.