Why Not a Multipurpose Rec Facility at Old East High Site? Why Not an Arena in Downtown Bremerton?
March 6th, 2009 by cstarkFirst, I like Robin Waite and applaud him for his efforts to bring professional soccer to the area. I wish him and the Pumas well.
And his idea to build a stadium on the old East High/Bremerton Junior High site is creative and worth pursuing. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read this story that appeared in our print editions today (Friday).
But what happened to the original idea? There were some initial meetings about the city and college and schools working together with community groups to turn that property in a multiuse facility. I sat in on one of them last year.
The idea was to keep the gym and a few classrooms. With a little remodeling, the city could move its parks and rec department to the site. The possibilities for youth/adult baseball, softball and soccer fields is endless. You could have a trails for walkers. It would be a wonderful green space in the middle of Bremerton. Easy access. Everybody wins.
Yeah, I know, I know. Where’s the money come from?
I know it’s valuable property. The schools could still sell the property that faces Wheaton Way for commercial use.
I hope this idea is fully explored before the district sells off all of that property … even if it’s for a soccer stadium.
I’m currently in Kennewick, covering the OC Rangers at the NWAACC basketball championships. It always pains me to see the kind of facilities other communities have, the kind of facilities Bremerton/Silverdale could have had with some forward thinking by our leaders.
The tournament’s held at the Toyota Center, a facility located within walking distance of the biggest mall in the Tri-Cities area. Inside, it reminds me a little of the old Seattle Arena and has a seating capacity of 7,000. Wenatchee, Everett and now Kent have similar facilities.
When Bremerton started it redevelopment plans, I suggested putting a 4,000-5,000-seat arena/convention center/multipurpose venue downtown. If you had that building, I think restaurants, shops, hotels/motels and retail would have followed.
Now the economy’s in the tank, the condos have been built, taking up preciouis waterfront views, the tunnel is coming, ready to usher people out of Bremerton as fast as they arrive, and it’s probably too late to consider building anything like that — although the old J.C. Penney’s building wouldn’t be a bad site. Or you tear down one of those downtown blocks that is practically empty and you throw up an arena. People are still spending their dollars on entertainment. You could have high school/college tournaments, concerts, conventions.
OK, I’ve taken by developer’s hat off. I throgh venting. I’m going to go eat some breakfast and get ready to cover some basketball.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
March 6th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
I totally agree with you. I used to work for the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club and the Seattle Sonics. I have seen first hand what the Everett Events Center has done for the community of Everett and the downtown corrider in Everett. The EEC draws fans from all over the Puget Sound Region. A 4500-6000 seat in Bremerton would be a great idea and I guarantee would draw a Minor League Hockey team or even a Arena Football team. This weekend alone the EEC is hosting the Worlds Toughest Cowbay competition as well as the Barry Manilow concert next weekend. I have seen numerous concerts in Everett as well as being part of a Hockey team that absolutely captivated the people of Everett and Snohomish County. I dont see why the Pavillion at the Fairgrounds couldn’t be remodeled to accomodate a arena that sits 4500-6000 fans.