Reporter staff
The city of Kent dedicated the new multi-use turf fields at Wilson Playfields during an official reopening ceremony last Saturday. Under sunny skies, the event coincided with the annual Youth Soccer Jamboree.
The city funded the $1.8 million turf replacement project using $500,000 from the general fund, $800,000 from the real estate excise tax and the remainder from delaying other park improvement projects identified in the capital improvement fund.
Wilson Playfields is the city’s only park with synthetic turf fields. Originally installed in 2002, the turf held up well, according to Parks Director Jeff Watling.
“Over 1,550 games and competitions are held there annually,” Watling said. “But after 12 years of constant use, the turf needed to be replaced. We’re pleased that, working with the mayor and council, we were able to pull together the funding to make this project happen.”
Families and youngsters also met and got autographs from star players from the Seattle Impact FC, Kent’s new indoor professional soccer team.
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