HERMISTON — The city of Hermiston can apply for up to $1 million in grant money to make significant improvements to the Hermiston Oregon Sportsplex.

The Hermiston City Council at its meeting Monday, March 10, voted unanimously to give City Manager Byron Smith authorization to apply for state grant money that will add lights to four fields at the complex on the front 20 acres of the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center.

Other improvements include:

• Acquisition of a portable and wheelchair-accessible restroom trailer.
• Improved parking and field access.
• Electrical upgrades.
• Irrigation improvements to maintain field quality.
• Hermiston Parks and Recreation Director Brandon Artz told the council that work on the complex is ongoing with concrete light bases in the ground and ready for future improvements.

The complex features six full-sized sports fields, two of which have lights.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program has $15 million in grant funds available in 2025. The LGGP is a competitive grant program to help local government agencies fund projects to acquire, develop and rehabilitate parks and public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

Artz said the HEROS Committee is providing the privately-raised dollars for the required matching funds for the project.

In his report to the council, Artz highlighted the progress made to the complex during the past couple of years, including:

• Spring 2023: Completed initial site preparation, including installation of electrical infrastructure.
• Winter 2024: Installed field lighting on the first two fields.
• Spring 2024: Hosted the first games, featuring lacrosse tournaments and league play, and purchased field equipment for additional sporting leagues/tournaments.
• Summer 2024: Completed construction of a storage building to support field operations and maintenance.

“I think this is an excellent opportunity for the city to pursue funds that are available statewide,” Councilor Jeff Kelso said. “If we don’t apply for those matching funds someone else will. HEROS is a great asset to our community. It brings business into town and it’s a great outlet for youth recreation.”

Councilor Allan Hayward said the additional lighting will benefit fairgoers as it will illuminate the fields during fair week when they are converted to a parking lot.

Councilor Josh Roberts thanked the HEROS Committee for the work it has done on the project.

“I want to recognize the fund-raising efforts that have taken place to help us meet those matching funds,” Roberts said. “This is not a General Fund contribution. This is grassroots.”

Council approves grant for airport safety

Also at the meeting, the council voted to authorize acceptance of a Critical Oregon Airport Relief grant from the Oregon Department of Aviation for $150,000 to assist in purchasing property for the airport’s Runway Protection Zone.

Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said the city has been working on the project for several years. Because the road relocation would pass through active farmland, the city has been working with the property owner to purchase a portion of his farmland. Morgan said the landowner was willing to sell the 140-acre parcel rather than just the acreage needed for the RPZ.

The project will cost just more than $4 million. The bulk of that figure — $3,650,000 — comes in the form of an FAA grant, with the city kicking in $255,000.

The project involves realigning Ott Road out of the Runway Protection Zone.

“It’s a safety issue and why the FAA is interested in it,” Morgan said.

Morgan said the city will lease the ground for agricultural production to recoup its $255,000 over time. He said it is anticipated the lease revenue will fully cover the cost in less than 10 years and become a long-term net positive revenue generator to offset the costs of operating the airport.

Council OKs $5M loan for urban renewal

And the council, acting as the city’s Urban Renewal Agency, voted to approve a $5 million intergovernmental loan between the city and the Hermiston Urban Renewal Area. The money will cover the design costs of the Northeast Aspen Drive extension linking Northeast Fourth Street and North First Street (Highway 395).

As part of the agreement, the loan is to be paid back to the city within 20 years.

The $5 million comes from bond funding the city issued for capital improvement projects. City Planner Clint Spencer said the north urban renewal area is anticipated to generate enough revenue to cover the repayment of the loan provided modest development and redevelopment occurs. He said repayment of this loan over 20 years is possible with existing revenues and a 3% annual increase in assessed value within the district.