Thursday, October 1, 2026
Soccer field 2 at Lacey's Regional Athletic Complex could be converted to synthetic turf from natural grass under a proposed $7.4 million project.
The project would strip natural grass from the field and replace it with high-performance synthetic turf, as well as a subsurface drainage system. LED sports lighting and additional spectator seats would also be added as part of the project.
Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge briefed the city council on the project at a work session on Nov. 25. Improvements would also include completing baseball outfield netting at fields 1 and 2 to protect pedestrians from errant balls.
Converting the grass field to synthetic turf and adding lights aims to extend "field use hours to community groups," Burbidge said.
Existing turf material would be pulled out to accommodate drainage infrastructure, according to consultant SCJ Alliance's design narrative. Drainage laterals in gravel would channel stormwater to a collector that distributes water to a holding area.
Crews would modify the irrigation system and seal mainlines in select areas. Quick couplers would be added to the mainline to let workers rinse the field of painted logos or cool the surface.
Synthetic turf matching the complex's existing surface would sit atop a free-draining base, design plans show. Concrete curbing and nailer boards would ring the field perimeter to anchor the turf. Gates and fencing inside the curb would block unauthorized entry.
Three poles with light fixtures would rise on field 2's east side, while existing poles would remain. LED lighting at fields 1 and 2 would deliver at least 50 foot-candles (units of illuminance).
Two fields of roughly 225 feet by 360 feet would fit in the turf zone with 14.5-foot safety buffers on each side. Field 2 would get a 4-foot fence matching field 1.
Baseball work mirrors the soccer upgrades. Field 1 has incomplete outfield protection. Posts and netting would cover the full outfield, while field 2 gets identical protection, according to SCJ Alliance.
Burbidge said spectator areas would be reworked for better access and circulation. The upgraded field would hold 500 people.
Site grading and stormwater collection improvements would support the expanded turf footprint and maintain proper drainage throughout the complex.
Additional improvements priced at $3.5 million would add Wi-Fi, backstops at fields 1, 2 and 6, and concrete paving replacement if adequate funding becomes available.
Tournament operators and field users requested Wi-Fi to broadcast events live, Burbidge said.
Bid alternatives include backstops at fields 1, 2 and 6 matching existing equipment. Wi-Fi would provide coverage throughout the baseball and soccer zones for streaming and internet connectivity.
Baseball complex Wi-Fi improvements would take priority, with potential expansion to soccer field 4 depending on available funding.
Another alternative addresses deteriorating infrastructure at the baseball complex. Worn, porous concrete around the baseball area would be removed and replaced with standard paving.
Stormwater collection systems would be installed because the existing surface did not require drainage. Improvements encompass approximately 45,000 square feet.
Burbidge called the porous concrete a drain on maintenance budgets.
"This is a costly item that we have to contract out for the maintenance of it, and we have to do that every other year, and the concrete is degrading pretty quickly," she said. "It's at the end of its life anyway, and the method to clean it actually shortens the lifespan even more."
Project funding depends on bonds backed by regional sales tax receipts. Lacey can float approximately $12.5 million in bonds over 15 years with $1.2 million annual payments, according to Finance Director Troy Woo.
Financing relies on sales tax revenue from the Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District, which was recently extended for 30 years.
Council member Lenny Greenstein said the revenue would support about a $12 million bond.
Bonds must be issued by early 2027 to tap the public facilities district extension, according to City Manager Rick Walk. Current debt expires in 2027.
Staff began design work in July 2025 and plans to reach 60% completion in January 2026, with construction documents finished by late 2026.
Walk stressed the timeline's importance, noting the city is positioned to issue bonds in 2027 to meet the deadline.
Greenstein hammered the time crunch, saying the city has no choice and will run out of time to secure facilities district funding without quick action.
Walk explained how funding constraints shaped the scaled-back project. Initial concepts for developing a 26-acre parcel west of Marvin Road came back between $45 million and $60 million.
He said the city is looking at the $12 million range because it needs to use some dollars for continued maintenance and operation of the complex.
A phased approach allows the city to add components over time as funding becomes available through private investment partnerships or additional revenue sources, Walk said.
Woo explained the 15-year bond recommendation ensures adequate revenue throughout the entire debt period. Early years would generate more than $1.2 million annually for facility repairs, bench replacements and shelter maintenance.
A 30-year bond scenario projects $49.2 million in proceeds but requires annual payments of $3.2 million, far exceeding the city's current public facilities district revenue of $1.9 million annually.
Council member Nicolas Dunning questioned whether a 20-year bond term might be preferable to the recommended 15-year term.
"It's important to kind of go over that 15 and that 20 year difference over the course of that timeframe, and you're looking at $108,000 less per year on the annual debt payment," he said.
Woo warned longer terms mean higher interest costs despite slim principal gains.
"In terms of the amount of principal you get in that five-year timeframe, you'll pay more in interest over that same extra five years," Woo said.
Future expansion remains possible but unfunded.
A third tier of potential enhancements carries a $21.7 million price tag, but would require future funding partners. Improvements would include locker rooms, concessions, ticketing infrastructure, additional restrooms, stadium seating with covered bleachers and a press box.
Additional future work would include parking lot upgrades, concrete bleacher pads, asphalt paving, new pathways and field enlargement for field 1.
Burbidge said future improvements would boost seating capacity to between 1,000 and 1,500.
"There's a lot of really excited stakeholders," Burbidge said.
11 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Donna Albert
The artificial turf may have a lifespan of 8-15 years. Do you want your children exposed to the toxic off-gassing of 162,000 square feet of deteriorating plastic on a hot summer day? Do you want chemicals and tiny particles from deteriorating plastic to be directed by a storm drain system to pollute nearby creeks, the river, and then the ocean? Do you want to haul away 162,000 square feet of heavy plastic material to the dump every 15 years, and pay to do it all over again? If such irresponsible use of plastic is not permitted 15 years from now, what will it cost to restore the grassy fields you are tearing out? The proposed paving, structures and plastic fields represent a large increase in impermeable surface area, which permeable concrete would only partially mitigate. When considering the impact on nearby stormwater systems, did the city take into account the loss of the permeable area, and the ability of the EXISTING nearby stormwater system to manage this load plus the heavier rains we can expect as climate change makes downpours more intense?
Monday, December 1, 2025 Report this
Esther
I absolutely agree with Donna. It is insane and unconscionable to use a toxic substance for a playing field, especially one for children who are particular susceptible. Please educate yourself about artificial turf at. https://peer.org/synthetic-turf-fields-forever-chemicals-and-the-safer-alternative-organic-grass/ And at the Beyond Pesticides website.
https://www.beyondplastics.org/campaign-toolkits/plastic-grass
And tell Lacey stop poisoning our children!
Monday, December 1, 2025 Report this
jimLacey
"There's a lot of really excited stakeholders,"
I'm a not-very-excited stakeholder I guess. Considering that the parks& recreation ballot measure just failed, seems like the current goal would mainly consider maintaining facilities for now, saving all the improvements for when economic conditions improve.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
LouBow
While newer turf mimics grass better than its predecessor it’s still less safe. Players often complain of joint and knee pain. Turf toe is an injury exclusive to turf. Players often have to wear arm protection to combat rug burn. This doesn’t even address the rubber and plastic carcinogenic properties as well as disposal issues of these fields. I understand where we live and grass can be tough to maintain. However, Lambeau Field offers a model that’s best for all with a turf/grass hybrid that can withstand the toughest weather and is better for athletes' safety overall.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
chrispc2u
As if there’s not enough plastic on the planet. I live near the park. Who wants to walk across a field of plastic?? Don’t locals living nearby get a voice rather than teams playing this field a few times a year? I thought Lacey cared about air quality. I agree with the others about off gassing being unhealthy. Why isn’t this money being spent to treat the diseased trees along College and 45th instead of cutting them down instead? This is project is too expensive and a colossal waste of money..
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
chrispc2u
Folks visiting the park for the annual Forth of July fireworks are going to love sitting on a field of hot plastic instead of cool grass - not!
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
chrispc2u
When are two crossings going to be added to Rainier Vista park so pedestrians can cross 45th without worrying about getting run over by speeding cars?
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
danwdurham
Conversion of natural grass to synthetic turf is a complete waste of funds. Who is going to benefit from this conversion? Certainly not the players. Perhaps the synthetic turf contractor.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
ddttwo2
@Donna Albert, Please don't take your children to that park if you don't want them exposed to the "Plastic".
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this
olysoccer
Clearly none of the previous comments have any children playing club soccer or play adult soccer yourselves... All grass fields close for usage around Nov 1. Soccer goes year round. There is a huge shortage of turf / indoor soccer fields in Olympia / Lacey / Tumwater for public use. It's not uncommon to see 6 teams sharing 1 field for practices in Nov / Dec / Jan. Heavily used grass fields also get completely wrecked...
Thank you Lacey Parks & Rec for building more fields!
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Report this
LouBow
@OlySoccer…
I’m a former high school football player, a parent to a former soccer player and wrote a college research paper on turf vs grass. Based on my experiences and my children’s experiences playing on both surfaces and my research, I still believe a bad grass field is better for the athletes and environment any day over a turf field.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Report this