Planning & Administration

Sports and Recreation Complex FAQs

Sports and Recreation Complex Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is the Sports and Recreation Complex?
The Sports and Recreation Complex is a UW Bothell student-funded project located on 2.5 acres (100,000 square foot) in the campus lowland. The complex will include a shared soccer and softball field, tennis courts, basketball court and a sand volleyball court. Spectator seating will be included along the south and east sides near the field backstop.

How will the Sports and Recreation Complex affect pedestrian and bicycle access?
Placing the Sports and Recreation Complex in this location will link to and improve the existing circulation on campus. The site is currently undeveloped and covered in rough grasses. The site is well served by pedestrian walkways and the regional Sammamish River Trail to the south and east.

The multi-use regional trail will be realigned to respond to the shape of the field’s eastern edge. The surface of the pathway will be identical to the existing trail and will be replaced where construction disturbs the existing surface. A detour route for bicycle and pedestrian users will be provided along Campus Way NE. That detour route can be found on this map.

Will the Sports and Recreation Complex be built in the wetland?
The campus lowlands are adjacent to but outside of the wetland buffer and wetland. The sports complex project is in compliance with requirements for wetland, stream and habitat mitigation and monitoring through the original Planned Unit Development (PUD) and various state and local permits. The mitigation and monitoring for campus development plans has been accepted by the Department of Ecology and the Army Corps of Engineers. The University of Washington Bothell promotes long term enhancement of the wetland.

Will animals be impacted by the new complex?
The environmental value of the wetland and its habitat ensure that campus development results in equal or greater biological functions including fisheries habitat and wildlife resources consistent with adopted state and federal standards.

Will the Sports and Recreation Complex lighting impact neighborhoods and wildlife?
The Sports and Recreation Complex lighting consist of five (5) 70 to 80 foot-tall light poles with light arrays focused on the complex and five (5) 40-foot-tall poles serving the court areas. All poles are black, cylindrical metal with precast concrete foundations. The technology incorporated in the proposed lighting system cuts energy consumption and operating costs in half by increasing lighting efficiency (controlling spill) by 50 percent. The system includes monitoring and remote on/off control services allowing continuous monitoring of light output and scheduling. Field lighting will be used only as needed during operating hours and no impact is expected.

Will power lines go up to provide electricity to the complex?
The existing power lines serving the campus, as well as the campus underground distribution system, are owned and maintained by Puget Sound Energy (PSE). Power for the Sports and Recreation Complex will be routed underground.

How will water be used and irrigated from the Sports and Recreation Complex?
The proposed water system consists of one drinking fountain will be provided near the backstop for both field users and pedestrians. The drinking fountain will be served by the existing domestic water system. Landscape irrigation is available from existing re-configured zones and does not substantially increase water consumption. Water system materials, valves, meters, services, and assemblies will be in accordance with the City of Bothell Design and Construction Standards and Specifications. Through the pre-application processes, the City of Bothell has determined that additional water availability and fire flow is not required for the Sports and Recreation Complex improvements.

Will plant removal occur during construction?
The University understands the important asset of plant life in the campus lowland and will make every effort to dispose of plants responsibly under state rules and regulations.

What are plant removal options?
As much as possible, UWB/CCC Grounds crews are relocating plant life to other locations on campus. When this is not possible, plants are being removed and disposed by:

  • Salvage of plants for future use by UWB environmental science courses
  • Salvage of plant for use by interested government or non-profit agencies
  • Grinding or loading plants and other surface debris to a landfill

Is this project sustainable?
In alignment with UW Bothell’s priorities, the 21st Century Campus Imitative, and UW’s Climate Action Plan, the Sports and Recreation Complex will incorporate artificial turf and unique reflector design sports field lighting systems which reduce light pollution by 50 percent. As a result, light will be directed where it’s needed: on the playing field surface.

Greater light control means that lighting is being used more efficiently, requiring fewer fixtures. The energy efficient design of new lighting will provide annual energy cost savings to the university. The lighting system also reduces maintenance costs by more than half, providing substantial savings over the project 25-year life of the system.

The use of artificial turf benefits the environment by helping eliminate and reuse stockpiles of used tires. A single artificial turf field with crumb rubber infill will reuse and recycle 20,000 tires per field. Additionally, artificial turf does not require the use of mowing equipment or pesticides. The synthetic turf provides a filtering aspect which leaves water draining through the turf to be scrubbed by particulates. At the end of its useful life the synthetic turf surfacing can be easily taken up and is 100 percent recyclable. The plastic nailer board which attaches the synthetic turf to the perimeter of the field is specified to consist of 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.