OTHELLO — The City of Othello Parks and Recreation department recently announced plans for RCO Lions Park Grant Projects to refurbish infields, renovate restrooms, and build a splash pad.

Ideas for the project were discussed during a public forum held Thursday, as well as the potential benefits stemming from the improvements.

“We think this will be a tourist attraction for our area,” said City Administrator Wade Farris.

Farris explained that ideas for the projects have been in the works for a few years now with the hopes of enhancing and improving the ball fields and facilities to make them safer for the players. Farris also said that by building a splash pad, they hope to attract both tourists and potential future residents to Othello by creating more places to play. Enhancing the quality of life in the area will help to attract and retain more workers, industry and business he said.

“Quality of life means parks and places to play,” said Farris.

Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants provide funding to help build communities provide outdoor recreation and education as well as protect and restore wild areas. Through this, the City plans to apply for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) grant, which would provide $488,340 to go toward the splash pad. The City would then match it with $54,260, making the total project for installing a splash pad $542,600.

Also through the RCO for the infields and restroom renovation, the City will be applying for the Youth Athletic Facilities (YAF) grant, which would account for $350,000 of the project, and would then match it with $63,600 of the total cost of $413,600.

It was through the RCO that the original lights on the ball fields were placed explained Parks and Recreation coordinator, Amy Hurlbut. The RCO grants are also beneficial, as they only require a 10 percent match instead of 50 percent from the city Hurbut explained.

Plans for the splash pad include making it an addition to the already existing community pool, and give children who are not yet strong swimmers a place to play. Resources can also be shared between the pool and the splash pad including lifeguards, pool staff, and water testing and filtration system.

The splash pad is set to be a pirate theme, and children 5 years old and younger will have free admittance.

Improvements for the infields include incorporating a French drain system, and switching to an infield mix made up of particles and clay that wont blow away as easily in the wind. Currently, the fields have to have additional dirt brought in and compacted each time the wind blows in order to make them level and playable again.

Renovations to the restrooms include plans for removing and replacing partitions, and removing asphalt ramp and concrete walk in order to install a six-foot concrete ramp and landing a the door.

Grant submissions will be made this coming July Hurlbut explained, and if selected, the money will be made available for the projects in July of 2019.

For any questions and concerns, or to offer input, the community is asked to contact Amy Hurlbut at (509) 488-6997.