The Spokane school board tonight [Wednesday] will continue its quest to determine where a new high school sports stadium will be located. The board will hear about a proposal to put an artificial grass surface inside an indoor sports facility that will be built near the Spokane Arena.
In an advisory ballot last month that asked voters where they would prefer the new stadium be located, patrons chose the existing Albi Stadium site over a downtown facility by a nearly two-to-one margin. School board members say they consider that a mandate that would seem to kill any chances for a downtown project.
But late in the campaign, an idea surfaced for an indoor football and soccer field inside an already-planned sporting complex near the arena. Supporters of the idea say it could fulfill the need for a stadium, perhaps at a significant cost savings. The district included about $30 million for a new stadium in its recently-approved school bond.
Last week, school board members voted three-to-two to explore the idea. Tonight, Eric Sawyer from the Spokane Sports Commission and Stephanie Curran from the Public Facilities District will make a presentation.
The board has signaled that it could take action after the presentation, though the direction it intends to go isn’t yet known. Board members Sue Chapin and Jerrall Haynes said last week that they were ready to move ahead at Albi. Deana Brower said she thought the stadium campaign was confusing to some voters and that perhaps they’d be open to another downtown option.
The board will meet at seven in the school district administration building.