SPS and Parks will develop six additional lighted rectangular fields, parking, restrooms, storage and conessions building at site of the former Joe Albi Stadium to support increased community need for outdoor recreational space, especially during late fall and early spring. Parks would maintain and program the fields, while SPS would be granted priority use for student activities.
Doubling the capacity of the Merkel facility and improving site amenities would introduce the potential to attract and host large regional tournaments that create economic vitality and allow residents to participate in these tournaments without out-of-city travel.
Funding for this project was included in the voter-approved 2025 SPS bond and 2025 Parks levy.
In January 2026, Capital Projects refined concept to six fields with lighting.
After receiving Progressive Design Build (PDB) approval from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Project Review Committee in February 2026, Capital Projects began evaluating a Design-Build Team shortlist.
A Design-Build Team recommendation will be made to the Board in April 2026 with detailed design work anticipated to begin in May 2026.
Substantial design work will be complete in late 2026 with construction to begin in spring of 2027.
Build a facility that would co-locate a new Madison Elementary School and an enclosed, publicly accessible multi-use recreational facility adjacent to Franklin Park.
Renovate Garry Middle School and adjacent Nevada Park to maximize benefit for the school and community
Renovate oldest portions of the building to address issues of efficiency and safety. Upgrade parking and fields.
Develop southwest fields with Spokane Youth Sports Association to extend field use and support increased student and community interest in recreational activities.
he SPS Annual Capital Projects Campaign uses bond funds for necessary facility upgrades and improvements so that each school is safe, secure, and has a useful lifespan.
Develop more fields at the site of former Joe Albi Stadium to double Merkel capacity and support increased student and community interest in recreational activities.
Renovate the indoor aquatics facility at Spokane Community College to expand Parks aquatics programming and develop a swimming lesson program for elementary students.
Want to learn more about a Parks project? Contact us:
| Name | City of Spokane Parks & Recreation |
|---|---|
| Phone | 509-755-2489 |
| spokaneparks@spokanecity.org | |
| Website | my.spokanecity.org/parksrec/levy/ |
Want to learn more about a Schools project? Contact us:
| Name | Spokane Public Schools |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-509-354-7338 |
| Website | www.spokaneschools.org/AskTogetherSpokane |
| In writing |
