Kitsap Fairgrounds & Event Center (KFEC)

The recently completed Kitsap Fairgrounds & Event Center and new ball fields are excellent examples of how the KPFD works to improve existing community assets.

Project History

The County and Parks Dept. requested funding for two different projects, which are essentially complete as of Summer 2017. Parks is now planning for Gordon Field 2.

Project 1 – Gordon Field Press Box – was to purchase a press box already put in place at Gordon Field by Pumas owner Robin Waite for the 2013 season. The purchase, for just less than $30,000, occurred in late 2013 and enables the Parks Dept.to market the Gordon Field complex as a “stadium” at better rates. Click here for the proposal details.

Project 2 – Lobe Field improvements – including, relocating one bullpen to the left field area; moving the backstop fencing inward; and placing a “real” elevated press box behind home plate. This would enhance the marketing of the complex for more events like the 2012 Babe Ruth World series that was so successful in generating more than $750K of economic benefit for Kitsap County. The total funding requested was $10,000 for the bullpen relocation and $60,000 for the press box and backstop fence move. That project is still in progress – the bullpen relocation and on-field improvements have been completed, but the press box improvment is still in progress. Click here for the proposal details.

Project 3 – Gordon Field 2: When Gordon Field was originally planned, the design was prepared for two artificial turf fields, but only one was built because of funding limitations. The planning is now being done for the construction of GF2, due in 2018.

Project Highlights
  • 1,000-plus youths participated in multi-day camps and clinics.
  • Josehine’s Revival a new hit event
  • Kitsap Sun Pavilion tournaments up 15%.
  • Baseball and softball field usage increased 33%.

KPFD funding initiated Fairgrounds Renovation-Phase I. The result transformed the Fairgrounds and Pavilion into a tournament-quality indoor/outdoor multi-sport complex for soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, badminton, wrestling and volleyball.

This regional center features the 40,000 sq. ft. Pavilion with a multi-sports gymnasium, breakout rooms and elevated seating for major special events. The site includes event camping sites and environmentally friendly sensitive parking lots. In 2005, KPFD will begin Fairgrounds Renovation – Phase II which involves taking inventory of all sports facilities in the County to establish priorities and then building additional facilities at the Fairgrounds. Please watch this site for update on this project.

Phase II Renovation – involved taking inventory of all sports facilities in the County to establish priorities and then building additional facilities at the Fairgrounds. Improvements have been made to the Loeb Field baseball complex and it has qualified for the 2012 13-year old Babe Ruth World Series, to be held in the latter part of August, 2012.

Phase II

KPFD, in partnership with the County, launched Kitsap Fairgrounds Renovation – Phase II which involved taking inventory of all sports facilities in the County to establish priorities and then to determine what additional facilities or improvements are necessary at the Fairgrounds.

Phase II RenovationImprovements have been made to the Loeb Field baseball complex and it has been selected to host the 2012 13-year old Babe Ruth World Series, to be held in the latter part of August, 2012.

Gordon Field – The project master plan involves the conversion of a grass soccer and multiuse field to two synthetic turf fields. The project is funded by Kitsap County and the Kitsap Public Facilities District and will be managed by the Kitsap Parks Department. Commissioner Josh Brown spoke at the Ground breaking ceremony on April 18th.

The first full-size synthetic turf field will also include pervious concrete perimeter walks and areas designated for viewing stands to be placed  In April 2011, construction started on the first of two artificial turf multi-use fields at the Gordon Field portion of the Fairgrounds.

In May, the PFD and County agreed to cover the additional expense of $120,000 for lighting at the field!

The $1.2 million project will allow year round use for soccer, rugby and lacrosse. It was designed by Landscape Architect, Bruce Dees and Associates; MAP Ltd, Survey and Civil Engineer; and Sparling, Inc for the Electrical. Work will be performed by A-1 Landscaping and completed in August 2011. The second field will be undertaken when funding permits.

A Special Letter to the Editor – In the July 29th edition of the Kitsap Sun, there was a great letter from 11 year old Josh Schneider of Bremerton.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Joshua Schneider, Bremerton
Hi, I am an 11-year-old boy, and have been playing soccer since I was 3 years old. I am very happy that the county is showing support towards soccer. Most counties think that soccer is for girls. I loved the idea that the county decided to make a turf field at the fairgrounds.

I am very excited that we have a close field that is nice. The grass fields next to the turf field need work.

I just can’t wait to see what the county does next for youth sports. So far, this county has a great variety of sports and many opportunities to join. All I know is that the sports in this county are great and the county should keep it up.

Thank you very much!

© 2011 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online 

Phase I

Phase I Renovation – KPFD funding initiated the first phase of Fairgrounds renovations. The result transformed the Fairgrounds and Pavilion into a tournament-quality indoor/outdoor multi-sport complex for soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, badminton, wrestling and volleyball.

2012 Babe Ruth World Series to be played on the Loeb Field baseball complex in August 2012! This is what we have tried to accomplish with all the effort and dollars put in over the last five years.

This regional center features the 40,000 sq. ft. Kitsap Pavilion with a multi-sports gymnasium, breakout rooms and elevated seating for major special events. The site includes event camping sites and environmentally sensitive parking lots.

Following are photos of the  ball fields, multi-use and multi-sport gymnasium and environmentally sensitive parking and walkway areas.