New soccer field planned for SPSCC campus 

A proposal for constructing an NCAA soccer field at South Puget Sound Community College returned to the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee on Wednesday, July 16.

Ed McManamna, a Senior Project Manager for architecutral firm McGranahan PBK, provided insight into the finalized site plan located to the south of Dr. Nels Hanson Way S.

He said the current design remains conceptually similar to previous submissions, but it now includes more detailed developments.  

The plan features a refined field shape with a small practice field added in the corner, more precise bleacher placement and clarified access routes to restrooms.  

McManamna added that the design accommodates approximately 200-210 spectators, with dedicated American with Disabilities Act parking and utility layouts in place.  

Future expansion includes a proposed 1,000-square-foot concession building, which is not part of the current project scope. 

City of Olympia Planner Paula Smith confirmed the project aligns with the approved Campus Master Plan and only involves minor updates.  

Smith recommended the college provide clear documentation of wetland protection strategies, construction staging plans, as well as any potential environmental impacts.  

The city planner said she would need to review the specific regulations to determine if the project necessitates bicycle parking. While she believed the student housing project would likely require bike parking, she was uncertain about the soccer field's requirements.  

However, City of Olympia Principal Planner Nicole Floyd believed bike parking would likely be required for the soccer field. While the requirement might not make sense — like expecting cyclists to park bikes under cover in the rain — she is confident the city will mandate some form of bike parking.  

Floyd suggested flexible options for compliance, such as placing bike racks within 50 feet of the site, and combining parking with the future student housing project.  

City of Olympia Engineering Plans Examiner Tiffani King said a water meter is needed to support future facilities like bathrooms and concessions.  

King also discussed stormwater management, noting the artificial turf would be considered a pollution-generating surface. She recommended a detailed stormwater scoring meeting to address specific drainage guidelines.  

After reviewing the project, the committee members voted to waive additional land use reviews, allowing the project to proceed directly to the engineering permit stage.  

This is the second time the committee has reviewed the project. The first review took place in January 2024 during the presubmission conference for the college's proposed student housing project and athletic fields.