Rotary seeks county help to start turf and finish phase 1 at Skyhill Park in Woodland

Rotary Club representatives on Tuesday requested Cowlitz County support to advance Skyhill Park in Woodland, asking the Board of County Commissioners to consider $792,696 to prepare a site and install turf for one regulation soccer field and roughly $550,000 to complete remaining phase 1 improvements.

"This has been work that's been underway for roughly the last 10 years," Sandy Larson, a project volunteer, told commissioners during a presentation that included a site video and engineering drawings. Lynn Jensen, a Rotary representative, said portions of phase 1 are complete — including a paved, striped parking lot — but additional sidewalks, lighting, a trailhead lot and RV parking remain.

Darlene, the Rotary member who described the phase-2 turf ask, summarized the specific request: "This parking lot's complete on this side. And with that, it will require, in working with EB Engineering and bids, $792,696 to be able to prep this site, to be able to lay 1 soccer field, full size soccer field turf for this location." Rotary said it already has acquired or is in the process of acquiring turf for the first field and plans to apply for state grants next year to fund remaining fields.

Rotary presenters described the park as a 46-acre site with a 10-foot paved walking trail around the park, three restroom buildings, a maintenance building and approximately 450 parking spaces. They said the City of Woodland owns the land but that Rotary will develop and maintain it under an agreement; a dedicated foundation will manage ongoing revenue and operations.

Presenters said the project has drawn state support: "We've gotten just under $3,000,000 from the state," a Rotary speaker said, and Rotary representatives told the board fundraising and grant activity is ongoing. The timeline presented said phase 1 could be completed by spring if the outstanding roughly $544,000–$550,000 is secured.

Commissioners discussed potential county support and fundraising strategies, including public–private sponsorships and broader regional fundraising. One commissioner said the county would check available funds and follow up with staff; no formal commitment or vote was recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Rotary asked the board to review funding availability and said it will continue grant applications and private fundraising. County staff and commissioners said they would examine county funds and follow up with the group, but no formal action was taken during the meeting.