Scott Hill Park Project Update
Posted
on Mar 01, 2016
Work on Woodland's own "Field of Dreams", Scott Hill Park & Sports Complex, continues to make headway. Current work on the park is focused on completion of the park Master Plan in preparation for Site Plan Review with the City of Woodland, identifying and pursuing public funding and foundation grant opportunities along with local fundraising.
With a conceptual design for the 40-acre park and sports complex including amenities needed to meet the community's needs while generating sufficient revenue to make the park economically sustainable, a marketing study supporting a positive market opportunity, required technical site studies completed, input from the community and recommendations from consultants, the park is poised to move forward. A recently completed economic impact analysis highly supports the positive effect the park will have on the Woodland and regional communities.
December 2015, E.D. Hovee & Company, LLC, Vancouver, WA, followed their Woodland Sports Field Market Analysis with an evaluation of the community economic impacts of the Scott Hill Park sports field development. The major findings and observations of E.D. Hovee & Company, LLC include the following:
- Nearly $17.6 million in construction-related spending will involve 111 jobs at an average wage of nearly $60,000 including direct and economic multiplier effects.
- On-going operations are anticipated to involve $8 million in direct, indirect and induced spending, over 90 jobs and total payroll of $2.6 million in the year of facility opening.
- These impacts can be expected to nearly double by year 10 (not counting inflation).
- Other community benefits likely include added tax revenues, recreation and health benefits, a new visitor amenity (especially in potential draw for regional including out-of-state tournaments), and improved quality of life for Woodland residents.
E.D. Hovee & Company, LLC for Scott Hill Park Project / Rotary Club of Woodland: Woodland Sports Field Impact Analysis, Eric Hovee,
January 8, 2016 (Full Economic Impact Analysis Report available at scotthillpark.org)
Traffic Study. The findings of the traffic impact analysis completed by HDJ Design on target Woodland intersections identified by the City's Department of Public Works indicate the Scott Hill Park project will not have a significant impact on the level of service or traffic safety at the intersections identified.
Geotechnical Analysis. The geotechnical site analysis completed by Cascadia Geotechnical Services reports site conditions favorable to the Scott Hill Park Project.
Major Fundraising. Feedback from interviewees as part of the feasibility study completed by Westby & Associates has been valuable to Rotary as they plan their next steps. Based on recommendations made by consultants, Westby & Associates, Rotary will proceed on the Scott Hill Park Project with a phased approach focusing on site preparations, renderings, etc., work to advance public funding requests, refine local government grant approaches and proceed with grant requests to appropriate foundations.
Local Fundraising. Rotary's 4th annual Gold Leaf dinner and auction event will be held at The Summit Grove Lodge on October 15, 2016. Funds raised at the annual event, totaling in excess of $280,000, have helped fund required studies and planning efforts to date.
While planning and permitting preparations are underway, grounds at Scott Hill Park will continue to be maintained and improved for future community events to be held prior to ground-breaking and construction.
In planning Rotary's Gold Leaf dinner and auction, Rotary's major park project fundraising event, tickets will be going on sale soon. Rotary will be seeking event sponsors and auction items. To get involved, please contact Rotary at Adm@ScottHillPark.org.
Rotary Club of Woodland is grateful for the outpouring of support and work being done by individuals and businesses in Woodland and the Southwest Washington region, our public officials, and the City of Woodland to make Scott Hill Park & Sports Complex a reality.