### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Committee met on March 23, 2026, to review the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan. The committee, chaired by Councilmember Williams with members Hamill and Cotton, unanimously recommended approval of the master plan that reimagines the complex as a premier recreational campus serving the community for the next 20 years. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Civic Athletic Campus:** The reframed vision moving away from "Complex" to emphasize a connected, cohesive community space rather than separate facilities. **Civic Spine:** An all-ages, all-abilities mixed-use path that connects the north and south ends of the site, creating safe accessibility for everyone including wheelchair users and families with strollers. **Civic Promenade:** A car-free block along Joe Martin Field that transforms existing streets into pedestrian space with trees, benches, and potential for food trucks and festivals. **Master Plan:** A 20-year strategic blueprint guiding investments, uses, and improvements to recreational assets at the Civic Athletic Complex. **Community Recreation Center:** A proposed new facility to replace/expand Arnie Hannah with enhanced aquatics and indoor recreation opportunities. **Carl Kosher Elementary Relocation:** A potential 5-acre school site placement at the north end of the campus, pending Bellingham Public Schools' capital decisions. **Load and Unload Zones:** Designated curb spaces for quickly dropping off athletic gear and passengers without needing to park. **Phased Implementation:** A three-phase development approach starting with northern fields and school site, then the civic spine, and finally major capital projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Parks & Recreation Committee Chair | | Daniel Hammill | Committee Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member | | Lisa Anderson | Councilmember (attendee) | | Hannah Stone | Council President | | Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director | | Bryce | Presenter from MXM (consulting firm) | ### Background Context This master planning effort began in 2022 with extensive community engagement including consortium meetings, public surveys, and open houses. The Civic Athletic Complex is a legacy site that has grown through various investments over decades, creating a collection of facilities that needed strategic coordination. The complex sits near I-5 and Lakeway Boulevard, making it accessible but also presenting circulation challenges. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommended approval of this plan on February 11, 2026. The planning process addressed community desires for forest preservation, improved accessibility, expanded indoor recreation, and better connectivity between facilities. Over 1,000 people participated through online surveys, with additional input from power users, school administrators, and community members who attended meetings despite rainy weather. ### What Happened — The Short Version Nicole Oliver and consultant Bryce presented the comprehensive master plan that transforms the Civic Athletic Complex into a unified campus. The plan preserves the existing forest while adding new baseball/softball fields at the north end, a potential elementary school site, expanded indoor sports facilities, a community recreation center with enhanced aquatics, and a central pedestrian spine connecting all areas. The committee discussed the status of the school district partnership (currently on hold due to declining enrollment), funding mechanisms for the community recreation center (including a $200,000 state grant for business planning), and implementation phasing. Councilmembers praised the accessibility improvements and community engagement process. The committee unanimously voted to recommend approval of the master plan, sending it to the full Council for consideration at their evening meeting. ### What to Watch Next • Full City Council vote on master plan approval at the March 23, 2026 evening meeting • Community recreation center business planning process with focus groups and revenue analysis • Potential agreements with Bellingham Public Schools regarding Carl Kosher Elementary relocation • Funding strategy development for major capital improvements including the "yet to be defined funding mechanism" ---

**Q:** What is the main difference between "Civic Athletic Complex" and "Civic Athletic Campus"? **A:** Campus emphasizes a connected, cohesive community space rather than separate individual facilities. **Q:** How long is the master plan designed to guide development? **A:** The plan provides a strategic blueprint for the next 20 years of investments and improvements. **Q:** What is the "civic spine"? **A:** An all-ages, all-abilities mixed-use path connecting north to south ends of the site safely for everyone. **Q:** When did the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recommend approval? **A:** February 11, 2026. **Q:** What committee voted on the master plan? **A:** The Parks and Recreation Committee, chaired by Councilmember Williams. **Q:** How many people participated in online surveys? **A:** Over 1,000 people responded to online surveys during the planning process. **Q:** What happens to the current Arnie Hannah facility? **A:** It would be incorporated into a larger community recreation center footprint with expanded aquatics. **Q:** How much state funding was received for community recreation center planning? **A:** $200,000 for developing a business plan. **Q:** What is the status of the Carl Kosher Elementary relocation? **A:** On hold as the school district reconsiders capital investments due to declining birth rates. **Q:** What was the committee's vote on the master plan? **A:** Unanimous approval to recommend adoption by the full Council. **Q:** What are the three implementation phases? **A:** Phase 1: North end fields and potential school site; Phase 2: Civic spine and promenade; Phase 3: Major capital projects. **Q:** What will the civic promenade include? **A:** A car-free block with street trees, benches, and space for food trucks and festivals. **Q:** How many parking stalls are maintained in the large parking field? **A:** 571 stalls are kept in place with some reorganization for efficiency. **Q:** What potential forest activation was discussed? **A:** Frisbee golf course, though the city isn't committed to that specific use. **Q:** Who is Nicole Oliver? **A:** Parks and Recreation Director who led the presentation to the committee. **Q:** What makes the site significant for Bellingham? **A:** It's centrally located near I-5 and serves as a legacy recreational facility for the community. **Q:** What concerns were raised about disc golf? **A:** Tree damage issues at Cornwall Memorial Park require better protection and community monitoring. **Q:** When will April Brews Day be held at the site? **A:** 2026, as part of testing the promenade concept for larger festivals and events. **Q:** What partnership opportunities were mentioned for operations? **A:** Potential collaboration with YMCA and Boys and Girls Club for the community center. **Q:** What makes this plan "opportunistic"? **A:** It allows flexibility to accelerate phases when funding or partnership opportunities arise earlier than planned. ---