SPS Board could vote on downtown stadium proposal Wednesday
SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Public Schools Board could vote on a proposal for a new downtown sports stadium during a special session Wednesday night.
The board has not publicly stated when they intend to vote, but the meeting docket changed Wednesday morning from saying the board would “discuss” the proposal to include “potential action” on it.
The Downtown Spokane Partnership approached the SPS Board with the proposal for a 5,000-seat stadium in March. If approved, it would be home to SPS football and soccer games, and DSP said it will also bring a new professional soccer team to town, which would also play at the stadium.
The proposal was brought forward just as demolition began on the district’s current stadium: Joe Albi Stadium. In 2018, voters shot down a proposal to build a stadium downtown, instead voting to put that money towards rebuilding Joe Albi at its current location in northwest Spokane.
The latest proposal from DSP suggests SPS use the approved $31 million toward a downtown site, adding that it could save the district $17.5 million in maintenance and operations by entering into the partnership. The downtown stadium would be operated by the Spokane Public Facilities District and DSP promised SPS free use of the venue, including free parking for all school events.
Despite the 2018 “no” vote, a recent study conducted by SPS most participants were in support of the downtown location.
The possible vote could happen when the SPS Board meets during their special session Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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READ: Spokane Schools survey showed overwhelming support for downtown stadium
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