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Woodland Rotary seeks county support for Skyhill Park sports complex; asks for $550,000 and $792,696 for next phases
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Summary
The Rotary Foundation of Woodland asked Cowlitz County commissioners to consider funding requests—about $550,000 to finish Skyhill Park phase 1 and roughly $792,696 to prepare a turf soccer field in phase 2—saying the project already has nearly $3 million in state funding and significant private support.
Representatives of the Rotary Foundation of Woodland presented the Skyhill Park and Sports Complex project to Cowlitz County commissioners and asked the county to consider financial support to finish phase 1 and to begin phase 2.
Presenters identified the park as a 46-acre, multiuse complex with a paved 10-foot-wide trail around the site, restrooms at each entry cluster, a maintenance building, and plans for multiple regulation-size fields that can host soccer, football, lacrosse and other sports. Rotary representatives said phase 1 (parking, an artificial multiuse field and associated infrastructure) is nearly complete but that additional sidewalks, lighting, trailhead parking and RV/bus parking remain. They said phase 2 will include three additional soccer fields and a new parking area and that, to prepare one full-size turf soccer field, engineering and site-prep bids indicate a cost of $792,696.
Rotary presenters asked the county to consider two specific funding items referenced in the presentation: approximately $550,000 to complete phase 1 and roughly $792,696 to “kick-start” phase 2 turf work. Rotary representatives said they have secured nearly $3 million in state funding and about $600,000 in local donations; they also described prior county support of roughly $300,000 and said they are pursuing additional grants, tribal funding and private partnerships (including sponsorship opportunities) to complete the project.
Commissioners asked logistical and governance questions: the city of Woodland owns the land, Rotary will develop and a foundation will manage and maintain the complex, and revenues from events would be retained by the managing entity. Commissioners noted potential transportation and safety issues, discussed access roads and the site’s elevation (presenters said the site elevation is approximately 300–500 feet), and asked about timeline: Rotary said remaining work on phase 1 could be completed before year-end with additional fundraising, and that phase 2 timelines depend on securing the present funding.
Why it matters: if funded and completed, the complex could draw regional tournaments, generate lodging and hospitality revenue, and provide year-round sports and recreation facilities for the county. Rotary presenters argued the complex would provide both economic activity and community benefits, including accessibility for elders and people with mobility challenges.
Next steps: commissioners said they would review county funding availability with county finance staff and follow up; no commitment or vote was recorded in the transcript.
