Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor | Are sports fields the best way to spend tax money?
In the April 10, 2026 Gig-a-byte the City of Gig Harbor announced the opening of sports fields at the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, for those keeping score this is Phase 1A. The portion of the project to be built, funded and operated by the YMCA. The City states, “So far, the city has committed $10.5 million through a mix of funding sources in order to bring the Gig Harbor Sports Complex to life”. The City fails to mention that in addition to the $10.5M, the City, that is the citizens of Gig Harbor have given an additional $2M of Hospital Benefit Zone (HBZ) funds to the YMCA for Phase1A. Also not mentioned is that in 2023 the “City”, on behalf of the YMCA requested funding from the State of Washington in the amount of $1.5M for Phase 1A, the state said NO. The citizens of Gig Harbor lost the chance to have any other project funded with state legislative appropriations because of this request, certainly an opportunity cost/lost for citizens. The true cost to the citizens of Gig Harbor is more than we are led to understand.
The 4/10/26 Gig-a-byte also states, “The YMCA has committed $7.5 million to opening the sports fields through a combination of state legislative appropriations and fundraising efforts.” As mentioned above the citizens of Gig Harbor provided $2M to the YMCA. The city fails to mention that the original agreement with the YMCA set a completion deadline of December 2024 for Phase 1A and also stipulated that the YMCA was solely responsible for the costs to complete Phase 1A. The original deadline was missed due to a lack of funding. As early as June 2023 the City Council considered issuing a Councilmanic Bond to help fund Phase 1A. It would appear that the “select stakeholders” behind the complex are unwilling to contribute real dollars to its completion, preferring the citizens of Gig Harbor provide funding.
There are two more phases planned, cost estimates vary but range from $20 – $30M or more and funding these phases is a priority for the current Council and Mayor. The Mayor has gone so far as to suggest that the balance of HBZ funds should be used to fund these phases! For those unfamiliar with the HBZ, it is a local sales and use tax associated with the development of a hospital. The funds are meant to finance infrastructure projects and public improvements in a defined area, the benefit zone. Search the City website for various projects that have been suggested for financing. Projects such as Burnham Drive Widening, Crescent Creek Park Development, Vernhardsen St Improvements, Cushman Trail, etc., have benefited or are potential beneficiaries of HBZ funds. That is unless the funds go toward a project that a majority of citizens have indicated is not necessary.
Edward Nadler
Gig Harbor