The Lewis County Public Facilities District ended months of speculation and two years worth of decision-making Tuesday, choosing to invest over $5 million in a regional sports complex pushed by Thorbecke’s FitLife Centers owner Dale Pullin.
“We did not turn down the WWF group’s project,” Chairman Bill Jones said about the competing proposal for a Napavine equestrian center. “There are potential roadblocks that could stop either project.”
However, Jones said that board members felt the $12 million project billed as the “Sports Destination of the Northwest” would stand the best chance of meeting the Jan. 1, 2011 deadline to start construction. The Newaukum Center in Napavine will be the fallback option.
“It is a viable business model and had the most information,” Jones said about the sports complex. “With the timeline the board was faced with, if Dale’s project hadn’t come along, we may not have been able to make the deadline.”
He added that the site located in Borst Park has water, sewer and other infrastructure needs already in place, while the Newaukum Center’s Napavine site near Exit 71 does not.
Board members Judy DeVaul, Pete Corwin and Dave Kuper voted in favor of the sports complex. Jones and Tom Lerchen abstained, however. Jones said he would have supported Pullin’s project if his vote was needed.
“We’re very excited,” Pullin said about the PFD selecting his proposal. “We have a lot of work ahead of us and a lot of challenges, but I know we’ll meet them.”
Pullin said his project could become the “economic engine” the county needs right now by bringing in outside dollars by hosting regional sporting events.
Representatives from the PFD, Centralia School District, city of Centralia and Pullin will meet to work out the final details and cement responsibilities for the project on Friday.
Brent Rakestraw, project director for the Newaukum Center, was disheartened by the board’s choice.
“We feel slighted of course,” he said. “We’ve had a long run to get to this point.”
Rakestraw was disappointed the PFD strung out the initial Sept. 8 decision date that allowed Pullin’s project to enter into the picture.
“We still believe we’re the most competent project overall,” he continued.
He said he will continue to work with property owners and the city of Napavine to bring the multi-purpose center with an equestrian focus to the area.
Marqise Allen: (360) 807-8237
