SANDPOINT — In a Tuesday afternoon ceremony, city staff, residents and members of the local racquet sports community celebrated the completion of the James E. Russell Sports Center. 

In the facility’s community room, several city staff members and donor Jim Russell spoke about the process of creating the $7.5 million facility and expressed their excitement for its upcoming opening. After years of planning and 13 months of construction, the Russell Center is set to host players in early December. 

“This is truly a celebration of a collective effort,” Sandpoint’s Arts and Historic Preservation Officer Heather Upton said at the event. “Looking around this room, I see so many faces that have played an integral role in making today possible.” 

Park Planning and Development Manager Maeve Nevins-Lavtar, who acted as the project manager for the Russell Center throughout its development, thanked the contractors, city staff members and volunteers who worked to bring the project to life and recognized the achievement of completing the 18-court facility within its budget while navigating inflation, rising material costs and unstable earth at the site.

“I've compared this to the analogy of being in a fishing boat and having an idea to do an expedition,” Nevins-Lavtar said. “It takes a lot of details and a lot of effort and a lot of time, and this team has gone through all the waves of being on that fishing boat.” 

Additionally, Nevins-Lavtar recognized Upton’s effort in creating a mural in the community room, which comprises a black-and-white collage of historical photos of local recreators and sports teams in action. 

Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm expressed gratitude for Jim and Ginny Russell’s donation in honor of their father and husband James Russell. 

“This vision and your generosity in your father's name really represent a grateful moment for this community,” he said. 

Grimm also shared lessons Sandpoint has learned from the process of planning and implementing the facility, during which some residents protested the removal of 20 mature trees at the site of the center and formed a petition to change the facility's location.

“We've learned, hopefully, a better way to engage with our community,” he said. “Going forward, I think we'll have a much stronger, more validating process when we approach projects like this.” 

Grimm asked residents to recognize the challenges of operating a municipal sports facility and encouraged users to be understanding as Sandpoint learns to utilize the center effectively. 

“This is new for the city, so we're going to have to have some of your patience,” said Grimm. “Bear with us as we learn how to run a facility like this. It’s a little different than what we typically do.” 

Jim Russell expressed thanks to all those involved in bringing the center to life and spoke about his father’s love of sports and recreation. 

“This has been a dream of my father's that started more than 20 years prior to his passing,” Russell said. “He wanted to give back to the city where he was born and raised and provide a venue where families and friends could meet, where sports could be played year-round.”

He went on to thank Nevins-Lavtar and all others who helped bring the facility to life throughout the planning and construction process. 

“Mom and I thank everyone involved,” he said. “Our only regret is that dad cannot be here physically to witness and participate in this ceremony ... but I know in my heart that he is here and will always be watching over this facility.” 

After Russell and Grimm took up oversized scissors and cut the ribbon on the sports center, members of Sandpoint High School’s tennis team took ceremonial first serves on the court, giving a glimpse at the utility the facility will go on to have for years to come. 

“From the moment this project began over two years ago, it has been guided by a shared vision,” Upton said during the dedication. “To build a space that fosters growth, inspires excellence and brings people together, rain or shine, all year long.” 

    Jim Russell, who with his mother Ginny Russell donated $7.5 million to enable the construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center, speaks during the facility's dedication.
  

Jim Russell and Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm cut the ribbon as they open the James E. Russell Sports Center in November 2024.