New youth sports site an adult team project

The first pitch of the last season of youth baseball at historic Hedlin’s Ballfield has yet to be thrown, but game plans are already being developed for next year.

At least in terms of securing a new sports venue in 2022.

Spring practices have begun much as they have this time of year going back decades, but now prospective building lots for a planned new residential development are staked out behind the ballfield’s backstop and parallel to its first base line.

These are subtle signs that the nearly two-acre Maple Avenue site is soon to be converted to 10 homes and a 24,000 square-foot park.

As a result, town and school district officials and La Conner youth sports representatives have held talks focused on options for developing a youth-sized baseball field in time for next season.

Discussion has centered on whether playfield space on the northwest side of the La Conner schools campus can be utilized for a diamond of Little League dimensions, said Reb Broker, a youth sports rep and assistant coach with the La Conner High baseball program.

Prior to those talks, La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes conferred with former Swinomish Senator Joe Williams about establishing a joint Tribal-Town youth sports complex, perhaps at John K. Bob Ball Park on the reservation. But those talks ended when Williams lost his senate re-election bid.

While John K. Bob Ball Park is plenty spacious enough for youth sports, it is a multi-purpose location much in demand for a variety of sometimes large outdoor special events.

Hayes and Town Administrator Scott Thomas committed a year ago to working with the school district and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to find an alternative youth sports location should the bulk of the ballfield on Maple Avenue ultimately become housing.

“The Town was under no obligation to do so,” Hayes told the Weekly News last week, “but it’s something that this administration felt was important to pursue.”

Hayes said he is awaiting further word from the school district before resuming conversations with Swinomish.

“We’ve been waiting to hear back from the school,” Hayes confirmed.

Hayes said school officials would likely have to reconfigure the layout of its campus playfields, such as moving and relocating existing fences.

Conversations involving the school district began earlier this year when it became apparent a deal was being struck for Landed Gentry Homes to buy 70 per cent of the rezoned ballfield property.

At this point, all parties are cautiously optimistic that a timely solution can be reached.

The school district is already providing space for youth t-ball and soccer, though campus playfield areas are becoming a premium resource given increased demand for use.

“The district is attempting to accommodate as much as possible,” said La Conner Schools Superintendent Rich Stewart, “but potential conflicts with school sports is a possibility.

“I know the Little League season can finish this year at Hedlin’s,” he added, “but we will still host t-ball.”

Stewart said one answer – though a costly one – would be to install lights, allowing both day and night use of school athletics fields.

“It might be possible to extend use (of school space) if all fields were lighted,” Stewart noted, “but we do not have the funding to do so.”

Hayes said he would be open to the Town, Tribe and school district partnering on a grant proposal to obtain monies to light campus fields.

“The Town would definitely be interested in looking for grant opportunities,” said Hayes. “The Town has a history of stepping in and helping the school district.”

All parties anticipate the search for an alternate local youth sports field to take awhile.

“Sometimes,” Hayes said, “it takes time for everything to come together on something like this.”