Developers of the planned 80-acre sports-field complex on the Rathdrum Prairie said Tuesday that they expect to soon begin actively seeking about $300,000 for construction costs.

"Once the annexation (by the city of Hayden) is done we can start pushing the fundraising side," said John Swallow, a managing member of North Idaho Sports Complex LLC, the group that owns and is developing the property.

Andy Barrett, another managing member, said, "There will be a lot of corporate sponsorship opportunities."

Two fields already have committed corporate sponsors, Barrett said.

The estimated cost to complete the 40-acre first phase is $1 million, and about $700,000 has been generated from fundraising and investments. The 80 acres is just off Huetter Road between Prairie and Hayden avenues.

The city of Hayden said Monday a vote has been scheduled for June 11 for annexation of more than 300 acres that include the proposed sports-field complex. If annexed, a special-use permit from the city will still be needed to begin construction.

"Once they say go, it could go pretty quick," Swallow said.

The development group envisions the project benefiting a wide range of people in the community, Swallow said.

Mike Thompson of the Coeur d'Alene Sting soccer club is the other primary managing member. The Sting club would be the first and an anchor tenant at the complex.

For partners like Sting, use of the facility will be gained through multiple-year lease agreements in exchange for help with maintenance of the complex. The developers also are talking to Junior Tackle Football, North Idaho College and the Boys and Girls Club.

"This isn't a bottom-line business deal," said Barrett, owner of Spokane-based Berg Companies. He's also involved with Mobius Science Center, in Spokane, and the Boys and Girls Club.

"Obviously we'd like a little return on our investment on the concession side of things," Barrett said.

Mostly, the managing members want to increase the number of sports fields in Kootenai County, and establish them in a central location for residents.

Phase one would include four full-size artificial turf fields, a full-size grass soccer field, and four smaller grass fields for younger soccer players.

The artificial turf has already been purchased from a facility in Seattle and delivered to the site.

The developers also plan a covered soccer field, though the field might not get covered in the initial phase of work.

Berms are being raised around the fields to give spectators a better view of the action.

Near a designated concession area are four proposed sand volleyball courts.

Parking will run along the perimeter of the complex. Initially it would be gravel, and possibly paved during a future phase of work.

Phase one won't have bathroom facilities. The complex will make use of pods of porta potties.

"We're not going to run sewer with our budget," Swallow said.