Town signs option for Hedlin's ballfield

Hedlin’s ballfield on Maple Avenue has played host to many triumphs for La Conner youth sports teams over the decades.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has sidelined practices and games there this spring, the nearly two-acre site is still scene of what some are calling a win-win situation.

This after the Town Council at its video-conferenced meeting last week committed $37,000 for a one-year option to purchase the Hedlin property for future mixed-use development of a public park/play area and residential housing.

The Council, which earlier this year had agreed in principle to picking up the option, voted 4-1 in favor of doing so at its May 26 session.

Council member Bill Stokes cast the lone dissent.

“I’m not against the concept of buying the property and developing a park,” Stokes said. “I’m not against that at all. I’m against the terms of the agreement.”

Stokes, on prior occasions, had expressed concern with the Town committing to the option because of the current uncertain economic climate spawned by the virus crisis.

But Mayor Ramon Hayes has preferred viewing the deal through a half-filled glass, calling it a win-win for all parties.

Should the sale be completed, he has told the Weekly News, the Hedlins would receive monies to help defray costs from its recent purchase of the adjoining Cram farm while the Town would acquire land at a favorable price that it can designate both for future housing and a 20,000-square foot park and recreation space.

“The Hedlin family had the opportunity to purchase the Cram farm,” Hayes explained. “They couldn’t walk away from it, so the idea emerged to sell the (ballfield) property to the Town at a reduced rate. But the Town can’t afford to buy it and keep it exclusively as a ballfield.”

The total purchase price would be $662,000 including the option, said Hayes.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas said that by securing the option the Town “is preserving the land from being placed on the market and buying a year’s time to study the purchase agreement.”

Thomas said the $37,000 option pays for the interest on the Hedlins’ purchase of the Cram acreage.

If the Town takes the next step and buys the ballfield, Hayes said it would benefit from revenues generated by developing three-quarters of the Hedlin property.

“The Town,” he said, “will be able to develop the other 60,000-square feet and recoup our investment. And more importantly, by having a park there, we’ll be eligible for grants to help with our costs.”

Thomas, though, cautioned that the grant application process is highly competitive.

“There are no guarantees,” he said, “but we would be eligible for grants. We’ll do what we can to maximize that.”

Hayes said the 25 per cent public use portion of the property would likely encompass a children’s playground along with a pickleball and basketball area, depending upon final input from La Conner residents and the Town Parks Commission.

While the option is in effect, Town officials have said they will confer with La Conner Schools and perhaps the Swinomish Tribal Community to explore possible new venues for local youth sports.

The Town and Hedlin family have been in discussions for several months over the status of the ballfield.

“The Hedlins trust the Town with the land,” Hayes said. “That’s a comforting notion as opposed to a private development coming in.”

Hedlin’s Farm Manager of Wholesale and Retail Organic Row Crops Kai Ottesen confirmed as much.

“We just want to do what’s right for La Conner for the next 50 or 100 years,” he said.

Much praise was heaped on the Hedlins.

“The Hedlins gave us the first chance to buy (the property) instead of selling to someone who can pay more,” Town Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz said.

That sentiment was echoed by La Conner resident and Weekly News contributor Nancy Crowell.

“The Town has long benefitted from the Hedlins’ generosity,” Crowell said. “I’m totally okay if the Town does this.”

Even, she said, if the Town ultimately decides not to go through with the purchase and forfeits the option payment.

“If we don’t do it,” she said, “the Hedlins deserve the money for all they’ve done for the town.”