On Thursday morning, representatives from Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation gathered at Shadle Park High School to celebrate breaking ground on phase one projects of Together Spokane at Shadle Park and Rogers High School.

“One of the things that sits at the heart of the Together Spokane initiative is we need to be active as a community. Together, participating, in real life,” shared superintendent Adam Swinyard. “And we need spaces to make that happen.”

This summer, Shadle Park High School will receive a new all-weather football/soccer field with practice lights, along with a new baseball infield and dugout. Rogers High School will receive all-weather infields for baseball and softball.

Funding for these projects was made possible by voter approval of a $200 School bond and $240 Parks levy in November 2025.

All-weather turf will help extend the playing season, reduce weather-related closures and provide a smoother, more consistent playing surface.

“The turf is really going to change how all that goes, not just for this year in my class, but for my little siblings that live in Spokane,” Rogers senior football player David Moore said in an interview with KHQ.

Focused LED lighting will also allow for expanded evening use while directing light downward to minimize spillover.

Rogers senior softball player Taylor Hoffman is especially excited for the additional lights.

“It's definitely going to be a lot better because I know that when sunset hits, you can't really see, especially being in the outfield,” Taylor told KHQ.

Adult recreation leagues through Parks will also benefit from the all-weather turf and lights, as they will be able to use the high school fields in the evenings.

“No more parking your cars around the fields and using your headlights to practice your chosen sports,” remarked Parks board president Bob Anderson.

“We generally see about a 20 to 25% increase in the useable time available from a field with all-weather surfacing and lights, so it’s a significant increase,” Parks planning and development manager Nick Hamad told KXLY.

Future phases of Together Spokane’s will create at least one all-weather rectangular multi-sport field with lights and one turf baseball or softball infield within each of the five high school boundary areas for public use.

Dr. Swinyard also noted that alongside field updates, the auditoriums of our five comprehensive high schools will also be modernized through Together Spokane so the spaces are accessible for student performing arts programs and community use.

“The purpose of the Together Spokane initiative is every kid every day is doing something outside of school, off of their screens, out of their homes. We know that’s what’s best for them and ultimately that’s what’s best for our community,” Dr. Swinyard said.

Follow Citywide All-Weather Fields with Lights for project updates.

GROUNDBREAKING PARTICIPANTS

• Jenny Slagle, Spokane Public Schools Board President
• Hillary Kozel, Spokane Public Schools Board Vice President
• Dr. Adam Swinyard, Spokane Public Schools Superintendent
• Bob Anderson, President, Spokane Parks and Recreation Board
• Nick Hamad, Spokane Parks and Recreation Planning and Development Manager
• Marcus Riccelli, Washington State Senator, 3rd District
• Ron Brooks, retired Shadle Park Baseball Coach
• Shadle Park students
  • Tao Catlin
  • Tyson Sterger
  • Kendall Pare
  • Ayla Parker
• Rogers students
  • Taylor Hoffman
  • David Moore
  • Coby Spurgin
  • Fancy Saimon