Royal City to consider rules for new soccer field

ROYAL CITY - Usage schedules for the new soccer field in Royal City's Lions Park will be on the agenda for discussion by the Royal City City Council next Tuesday. City Finance Director Janice Flynn said the project was built with the help of a grant, which means there are some conditions for its use.

The soccer field was built to provide a place for children and teens to play, Flynn said.

"Because it is a youth soccer field, the youth will be given priority there," she said.

Council members will be considering a proposal to reserve the new field for youth activities from about 3:30 p.m., or directly after school, through about 7 p.m. The proposed rules also reserve the field on Saturday mornings for youth tournaments and games.

"Adults can use it, but the priority must be kids," she said.

The city received a grant of about $350,000 from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office to pay for construction, with the city paying the balance. Total project cost was estimated at about $400,000 to $450,000.

The new field is at the intersection of Acacia Street West and Cedar Avenue Northeast. Construction began in June 2025, with the project completed in October. It can be configured with one field east and west or two smaller fields north and south.

The soccer field is the first phase of a long-term project to enlarge Lions Park that started when the property was purchased in 2018. The soccer field and adjacent, still undeveloped property extends the park along Acacia Street West to Cedar Avenue Northeast.

The rules for its use have been under consideration over the winter, but Mayor Ryan Piercy wanted to wait for a decision until all five council members had a chance to discuss it, Flynn said.

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