Welcome to the Gig Harbor Peninsula Youth

Sports Coalition Newsletter!

We are a dedicated group of volunteers who have spent the past 10 years advocating for the Gig Harbor Sports Complex and youth sports in the community.


Thank you for being part of this vital mission, and please connect with us via our website and social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

A key focus of our organization is moving ahead with the Gig Harbor Sports Complex project. It’s 30+ acres centered around the YMCA in the Gig Harbor North area. Development has begun! The complex will feature:


  • 6 multisport, lit, synthetic turf fields
  • Lit walking trails
  • Play areas
  • 6 pickleball courts
  • Bocce ball court
  • Performance stage
  • Concession & restroom facilities
  • Preserved wetlands
  • Ample parking


The above features and proposed designs were based on a thorough and inclusive public process, with dozens of public meetings, open house events, and community engagement opportunities. 


This project development has been widely supported within our community over the past decade, and we are thrilled to have it move forward.

PHASE 1A - YMCA FUNDRAISING UPDATE

🥳We’re excited to share an update regarding Phase 1A of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex from the YMCA! 


Currently, we hold steady in the silent leadership phase of the fundraising campaign, and we’re continuing to meet with prospective donors for the project. 


That doesn’t mean other progress isn’t happening! We are moving the design and land use applications forward with the City, and we’re so pleased to share some news about this. 


Our land use application was submitted in March and was accepted by the City, so we are scheduled to receive building permits later this year.📅


With our updated design drawings, we requested and received updated construction cost estimates that show the project cost holding at $7 million.


We will update you with any news as this highly anticipated and needed project for our community continues. 


Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss a thing!

*Two multi-sport lighted, synthetic turf fields, and associated parking 

SPORTS COMPLEX PHASE 1B

Land use permits are in review at the Community Development Department while the City’s consultant prepares final drawings and bid documents. Construction will likely begin in 2024.

SPORTS COMPLEX PHASES 2 & 3

On Monday, the Gig Harbor City Council authorized a contract with BCRA Design of Tacoma to conduct a feasibility study for phases 2 & 3 of the Sports Complex.


The feasibility study will identify the obstacles, site constraints and community needs for the development of artificial turf fields at the current Peninsula Light Fields (Phase 2) and an undeveloped property on Harbor Hill Drive just south of the YMCA. Part of the study will involve outreach to sports groups and stakeholders.


Jennifer Haro, Parks Manager for the City of Gig Harbor, will attend the May 10 GHPYSC meeting to give an update on the project and let the group know what kind of information they will be looking for from sports groups.


If you would like to be added to an email list to receive updates about this project, please email Jennifer at jharo@gigharborwa.gov.

PENMET PARKS PROJECT UPDATE

PenMet Parks is advancing the development of a new indoor Community Recreation Center (CRC). 


The CRC will anchor indoor community-driven recreation and programming opportunities and is precisely planned to help meet the demand for indoor recreation space in Gig Harbor. 


This approximately 64,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, located at 2416 14th Avenue NW, will comprise two complementary buildings and a multi-use grass area large enough to accommodate a youth soccer field.


Amenities included in this facility will be:


  • Indoor turf field
  • 3 multi-purpose gymnasiums
  • Elevated track
  • Multipurpose rooms and other community gathering spaces


The project also includes extending the Cushman Trail from its current southern terminus to 24th Street NW and renovating the miniature golf course. 


Phase I renovation of the existing building is underway and will be complete this year. This renovated facility will provide a community space and the PenMet Parks permanent administration headquarters. 


Phase II, which includes the new indoor recreation center and Cushman Trail extension, is anticipated to be complete in 2024. 

HARBOR SOCCER TYEE CUP

While Harbor Soccer hosts over 800 games annually, the Tyee Cup ⚽ is a wonderful opportunity in our community to host teams and spectators from all over Washington Fri.-Sun. of participating weekends. It averages the involvement of 150-175 teams, 100-135 of which are not Harbor Premier teams and are visiting Gig Harbor. Between the players and parents involved, thousands descend upon Gig Harbor for these special weekends.


Local businesses and restaurants have reported a boom in business due to the 2000+ players and additional spectators during the weekends of this event which is a tremendous economic boost.


The current drawback of the Tyee Cup is the need for appropriate fields for play. Therefore, we’ve had to utilize Silas High School turf for the last 3 Tyee Cups and schedule many teams and games on the other side of the bridge.


This drawback has led to many participants not visiting Gig Harbor, experiencing our fantastic shops and restaurants, and putting additional strain on our resources.


To counteract this problem, we need additional lit turf fields to provide adequate space for hosting the current teams, with a look to increase registration numbers in the future.


It will also encourage better economic outcomes for our local retailers, coffee shops, and restaurants with all venues on this side of the bridge.

ANNUAL PARTICIPATION SURVEY SPOTLIGHT: SHOCKWAVE


To best help our kids and community, we need to:

  • ask the questions
  • actively listen to what you are saying
  • then create a plan to follow through


One way we do this is through the Annual Participation Survey.📝


Today we’re sharing some feedback we received from Danielle States at Shockwave Baseball Club

 

Q: How has your organization had to make concessions?


A: First, we have teams traveling to Tacoma, Port Orchard, and the Key Peninsula to find fields for practices. 


We’ve had to reduce the number of teams and league size, share field space, and shorten practices due to insufficient outdoor lighting before daylight savings.


There have been times we’ve put 5 teams on a field at once rather than the ideal number of 1 or 2. Even for training sessions, we’re squeezing 8 -10 teams onto a field instead of 4 MAX! 


Q: What specific facilities and/or resources does your organization need to be most successful?


A: It comes down to MORE! 


More indoor gymnasium space with basketball hoops, more outdoor fields with artificial turf to allow practices and games to happen year-round, more storage facilities, more outdoor lighting for these spaces, and more volunteers and coaches.


More isn’t always the answer to every problem, but it certainly is for the current youth sports needs in Gig Harbor!


Q: What challenges are your organization (and others) facing with distance and times of practices and games?


A: As mentioned, families are forced to travel for outdoor field use, leading to additional costs, gas, vehicle wear and tear, and MASSIVE complications to evening schedules. It’s all an immense frustration!


Later practice times mean our younger kids lose out on necessary sleep and rest during the week. Or, you can choose not to have a weekly practice, but then everyone loses in that scenario too. Our family even stopped Little League because of the impact the late hours had on our son and family. 


This type of schedule may work for older youth in high school. But even then, we must consider homework demands, school schedules, other extra-curricular activities, and family time. Our children are not professional athletes and should have different time demands placed on them.


Q: What impact is the lack of appropriate venues having on youth sports organizations?


A: It places strict and challenging limits on us to be a host for games or tournaments. 


Soccer teams must play at multiple places and create makeshift pitches on baseball fields to have a tournament, which leads to difficulties in planning and participation. Some teams don’t even bother to come because it’s not deemed worth it.


Baseball teams don’t have any venue that fits all ages for tournaments. They are forced to play most of their games far away, which means even more time and cost for extended family to attend and support.


With limited turf field options, there are more and more rainout games which lead to fewer games for the season. Yet the cost for our kids to participate is still the same. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone involved!


Q: What challenges do your organization (and others) face with development?


A: When baseball and soccer players are forced to train in indoor facilities for more extended periods, it causes a delay in player development. Why? Because they aren’t playing and training in an environment that accurately recreates gameplay. 


When players cannot participate on an actual field until their first game, it shows a HUGE discrepancy in their awareness of play. They don’t fully understand how a game will unfold in real-time.


Kids get burnt out with limited space to participate fully in practice and games. They lose interest because they aren’t in the intended setting for play. They end up lacking growth because it’s all too predictable.


Our kids are disadvantaged compared to others with access to appropriate outdoor facilities.


It’s also a significant reason for unsuccessful programs within Gig Harbor, lower-level development in athletes, and a huge factor in why well-rounded athletes leave Gig Harbor to play elsewhere.


My daughter loved soccer, and my son loved baseball! But, because of the limitations in our community with facilities, the resulting limited development, limited coaching, and limited opportunities, both have lost interest in the sports.


Q: What do you want to see from better resources and facilities?


A: Youth sports are a platform for growth beyond the sport itself. When kids have more accessible opportunities to participate in sport IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY, they are more willing to…

 

  • Commit to something
  • Get stronger in a skill that gives them confidence
  • Create relationships with peers throughout high school within their town vs. elsewhere
  • Create stronger relationships with coaches and families as they play on teams within their town
  • They feel more pride in playing for their hometown at a young age as they anxiously wait to do it in High School
  • Having extended family come to cheer you on locally while being able to also spend time together at home
  • And if sport becomes a journey a child chooses to end, it's because they are ready to move on to something else or narrow down their choices. NOT because the sport was limited based on the current challenges we face in our community.

YOUTH SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES

We are excited to be a resource for current youth sports organizations in the Gig Harbor area!


We currently have over 30 local youth sports organizations included, but if you notice any missing, please email 📧 info@ghpyouthsports.com with the details, and we’d be happy to update our listing!

Youth Sports Organizations

CRESCENT CREEK MASTER PLAN

The City held an open house on April 19th to get input on what park users would like to see in the park in the future. There was a survey open through May 8th at surveymonkey.com.


Once the preferences have been compiled, the landscape architect will prepare three options for the park layout for consideration from the public and City Council.


On May 11th, City Council will be considering the future of the Masonic Lodge Building.

More Information

CITY OF GIG HARBOR'S NEW SURVEY SYSTEM

Don’t get sick of surveys just yet! The City of Gig Harbor has just launched a NEW survey system called FlashVote to give you a chance to provide feedback on issues within our community. You will be emailed about eight times a year when your feedback is requested. Only those registered will have the opportunity to complete the survey.


Often these surveys are related to parks, so as a supporter of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, it is essential to have your participation!


Registration is quick and easy, just click the button below to get started today! 

FlashVote

ELECTION 2023

Have you ever thought about running for office?

Here’s why you may want to consider running in 2023...

Only a handful of elected officials primarily decide decisions about youth athletic facilities. 


Even with the approved Master Plan for the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, support for the project among elected officials has been lacking. 


If we had elected representatives that fully supported youth athletics AND are willing to complete proposed projects, we could have much more impact on shaping the futures of our youth!


To help you with your decision, here’s a list of offices up for election this year to consider:


  • Gig Harbor City Council Pos. #4 (currently held by Mary Barber)
  • Gig Harbor City Council Pos. #5 (currently held by Julie Martin)
  • Gig Harbor City Council Pos. #6 (currently held by Le Rodenberg)
  • Peninsula School Board – District #1 (currently held by Chuck West)
  • Peninsula School Board – District #3 (currently held by Lori Glover)
  • Peninsula School Board – District #4 (currently held by Natalie Wimberley)
  • Key Pen Parks – Pos. # 5 (currently held by Kip Clinton)
  • PenMet Parks – Pos. # 5 (currently held by Amanda Babich * has announced they are not running for reelection)


Don’t wait too long to decide, as the Pierce County Elections candidate filing week is May 15-19, 2023!

NEXT MEETING... MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

You're warmly invited to join us at our next meeting on May 10th, 2023, at 6:30 pm, held at Swift Water Elementary.


We will discuss plans for the future GHPYSC sports complex, encourage all in attendance to share their opinion, and share ways to get involved in this highly anticipated project!🙌


The GHPYSC cannot express our thanks for the support you have provided during the past decade. We look forward to all the positive change we can affect together!


If you would like more information about our organization, volunteer opportunities, the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, and local youth sports organizations, please visit our website and give us a follow on social at Facebook and Instagram.


GHPYSC...What do we do, and who do we help? Keep reading👇


That acronym stands for Gig Harbor Peninsula Youth Sports Coalition.⚽


Our purpose is to advocate for youth sports in the Gig Harbor Peninsula community...


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Wondering how to get involved and make a positive impact on youth sports in our community?


We've got a few ideas.💡 Check them out...



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CONTACT US


info@ghpyouthsports.com

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