Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession today announced that the City would negotiate a contract with Spokane Public Schools and the Mead School District that would allow for the continuation of high school football games at Albi Stadium in northwest Spokane.
"I am very pleased that the City and school districts came together in agreement on the importance of retaining Albi Stadium for high school football games," said Mayor Hession, "and that fall high school football will occur as planned. The school districts certainly stepped up to partner with the City to resolve this matter for the interim."
Spokane Public Schools and the Mead School District have offered to replace the turf at Albi Stadium in return for assurances from the City that they will be able to use the stadium for high school football games for the life of the turf. The Mayor says that the schools offer is reasonable and that he will request that the new turf also accommodate soccer games.
"We are very pleased at the willingness of the City to continue our long-standing partnership in using Joe Albi Stadium for high school football and other school events. This will provide the necessary time to make prudent decisions for our community," said Dr. Brian Benzel, Superintendent, Spokane Public Schools.
'We are excited by the opportunity to continue this mutual relationship with the City and Spokane Public Schools. Our continued use of Albi is in the best interest of our students and community," said Al Swanson, Superintendent, Mead School District.
Hession said that the stadium's future continues to be challenged, but that this agreement with the school districts provides time for the parties and other stakeholders to develop a long-term plan for Albi that is in the best interests of the community, and that it is his intention to conduct parallel discussions on Albi's long-term future.
"Obviously, the schools will need to develop a new stadium that makes more economic sense for them," he says, "and we need to determine with all stakeholders a plan for the Albi property future."
