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Thurston County Youth Football group asks city to buy land so nonprofit can build multi‑sport complex
Summary
Philip Oglew of Total Sports Development and Thurston County Youth Football asked Yelm leaders to purchase land and provide a long‑term lease to enable grant eligibility and construction of multi‑sport turf fields and later phases including indoor facilities and baseball complexes.
Philip Oglew, who runs Thurston County Youth Football and co‑founded Total Sports Development, told the Yelm City Council on Sept. 2 that his nonprofit seeks a city land purchase and a 30–50 year lease so the group can obtain grants and build multi‑sport synthetic turf fields and indoor facilities.
Oglew described an 8‑acre parcel he currently controls informally (14438 Yelm Avenue) and other nearby 30–60 acre parcels that he said would fit a master plan for outdoor turf fields, indoor training domes and a larger athletic complex. He said phase one would include two synthetic turf multiuse fields, restrooms, concessions, lighting and storage, with an estimated phase‑1 budget around $4–$5.5 million.
Oglew said long‑term leases or ownership are necessary to secure state and federal grants because grantors require evidence that facilities will remain in place for decades. He said his organization has operated programs that served more than 1,500 children in the first year and that youth sports generate hotel and local business revenue when tournaments are hosted.
He described rising facility costs and rental fees as drivers of the proposal. Oglew said that rental charges for school facilities had increased notably (he cited a previous $11,000 payment that rose to $30,000 in the current year for his organization), and that mounting hourly rental fees for school turf and gyms risk pricing local youth programs out of Yelm.
Council members pressed on site specifics, financing and insurance; Oglew said he carries substantial liability coverage for the nonprofit and reiterated the request that the city purchase or otherwise secure suitable parcels to enable grant funding and long‑term facility development. Council did not commit to financing at the Sept. 2 study session.
