Dembowski secures more than $1 million in sports and recreation grants for Northshore area

November 16, 2016 1:30 pm
Dembowski secures more than $1 million in sports and recreation grants for Northshore area

The following is a release from King County:

King County’s 2017-18 biennial budget, adopted this week, includes significant investments in sports and recreation facilities for north King County. Metropolitan King County Council Vice-Chair Rod Dembowski, who helped craft the final county budget, was able to secure more than $1 million in new sports and recreation funding for Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park and Woodinville area residents.

“Our community’s kids and adults need places to play and recreate. North King County sports and recreation facilities are not adequate to meet today’s demand,” Dembowski said. “I have heard the concerns and am pleased that King County will be able to partner with North King County cities and non-profits to provide expanded recreation opportunities for both youth and adults in north King County.”

The grants will support programs in North King County that help both youth and adults become and stay active, including:

  • $611,000 for Saint Edward State Park to upgrade ballfields in partnership with the City of Kenmore
  • $325,000 for the Northshore Parks and Recreation Service Area to start a new program to help fund future youth recreation facilities in North King County
  • $25,000 for the City of Lake Forest Park to fund park improvements
  • $20,000 for the Northshore YMCA to fund after school youth programs, including its successful “Hang Time” program
  • $10,000 for the Northshore Senior Center to fund senior fitness programs
  • $150,000 in countywide funds for bicycle-related infrastructure in the regional trail system, including the Burke-Gilman, Sammamish River and Tolt Pipeline Trails.

The funds secured by Dembowski originate from King County’s Sports Facilities Grant Program which is funded by a one percent tax on rental cars. Since 1993, King County has allocated 25 percent of the car rental tax collected to fund the Youth Sports Facilities Grants Program, with the remaining 75 percent of the tax used to service the debt on the former Kingdome. This year, due to the retirement of the Kingdome bonds, all of the rental car tax collected will be allocated to youth or amateur sport activities or facilities.

The County will bond a small portion of this expanded revenue stream to jump start the expanded program. Competitive grants will be available in future years for similar programs and projects. The expanded program includes new ongoing scholarship support for youth who are not otherwise able to afford fees and other costs associated with organized sport programs.