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Schools

Locals Gather to Celebrate New Chapter in Enumclaw Sports

New turf field is dedicated as the first game will take place on it in a week.

For Ron Jenkins of Enumclaw the dedication of the new Astroturf field at the Expo Center Friday night had a little extra meaning.

Jenkins was a part of the ceremony on behalf of the Seattle  Seahawks.

“Our girls are in elementary school right now, and this will be great for them, “Jenkins said. “Our family has been huge fans of Enumclaw sports since moving here.”

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Jenkins serves as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Seahawks. He represented them as the Enumclaw School District secured a $200,000 grant from the NFL team as part of the stadium's $900,000 renovation.

That grant came from the NFL Grassroots Program that has  constructed or renovated 225 fields in the past 12 years. 

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Even with the turbulent economy, it took only 316 days for the Enumclaw community to get the field funded and completed. That feat was something that was not lost on Judge Rick Batham, who was on the local committee involved in fund-raising.

“We had challenges early on with fundraising,” Batham said. “Once Mutual of Enumclaw donated $50,000, and we got the Seahawks grant it legitimized our plan and the momentum kept building.”

Batham also praised local involvement: “This community was just awesome.”

A $300,000 matching grant from King County also played a major role. Locals had to match that amount in money or donated work, time and materials. Carl Sanders' construction company played the key role in that.

As thanks, Enumclaw High School football Coach Don Bartel presented Sanders and his mother the first lifetime membership in the Enumclaw Football Foundation.

The official ribbon cutting was done by senior Ryan Chynoweth, who will be a defensive standout on this year's team. He cut the ceremonial ribbon and was joined alongside by current Mayor Liz Reynolds and former mayor John Wise.

Bartel talked about how excited the football team is to be playing on the new surface. The first home game is at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 against Yelm.

“It’s going to make Friday nights even more special in Enumclaw,” Bartel said. “Also, it’s going to be great for the younger players in Junior Hornet football and Wolverine football to know this field will be here for them as well."

 

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