Lots of contributions made softball field come together

For VMSSA, a new field of their own was a distant dream.

When the league formed in 1994, they played at Clark College and continued to do so until 2014. In 2005, Maury Wilson wrote to Clark County Public Works Director Pete Capell to find out if there was any possibility of a place where VMSSA could build a field.

At the 2012 VMSSA Board Meeting, the league decided to pursue the issue again, and Maury wrote to Clark County Director Bill Barron. In March 2012, Mr. Barron helped set up a meeting between VMSSA and Pete Capell, Eric Christensen (Clark County Parks Facility Coordinator), and Pete Mayer (City of Vancouver Project Manager). A week later, Pete Mayer sent a letter that listed 10 potential sites, and VMSSA chose Pacific Community Park.

In June 2012 VMSSA and Clark County began drafting an agreement. After many discussions and revisions, VMSSA and the County Board of Commissioners signed off on the agreement that:

1) Gave VMSSA the right to build a softball field;

2) Gave VMSSA a long-term lease;

3) Stipulated that it is a community ball field for youth baseball and youth softball in addition to the VMSSA senior softball league;

4) Required that VMSSA build 71 additional parking spaces to expand the existing parking lot.

But the agreement was just the beginning. Some in the county doubted that VMSSA would be able to carry the project to completion. They underestimated the commitment of the leaders and players of the VMSSA.

As soon as VMSSA signed the agreement, retired Oregon Health & Sciences University Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leon Speroff, and his fundraising committee began work to raise money to build the field. At the same time, VMSSA hired Chris Robertson of Robertson Engineering to develop plans for the ball field.

Players began sending contributions. Solicitations went out to non-profits and businesses. Within a year, Sunlight Supply committed a generous donation that gave them naming rights to the field for five years.

A few players committed substantial contributions that inspired others to donate more. VMSSA received more than $280,000 in cash donations, 75 percent of which came from players and ex-players, and another 7 percent from player families and friends.

The rest included major contributions from Riverview Bank, and T.O.D.A.Y. (The Organization Dedicated to Youth and Athletics), plus advertising purchases and in-kind donations by other businesses.

Clark County approved the plans and issued building permits in February 2016, and VMSSA broke ground and started construction in March 2016.

The 71-space parking lot addition was begun in January and completed in March 2017, in a record rainy year. The field, backstop, fences, dugouts and stands are ready for play and fans to attend.

And all the bills are paid.

Sunlight Supply Field is the result of remarkable cooperation between Clark County and the Vancouver Metro Senior Softball Association.

At the celebration of the new field, Bill Bjerke head of Parks for Clark County and Clark County Councilor Marc Boldt noted the wonderful public/private partnership between VMSSA and the county that enabled the project to be completed in such a short period. Both were impressed by VMSSA’s ability to raise the funds and the ballplayers’ perseverance.

Project Manager Scot Brantley said: “Projects like this often never see the light of day, but VMSSA’s dedication and commitment made it happen. They raised the money. Communication between VMSSA and the county was excellent. They faced all the issues and built a first class facility.”

Few in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area have heard or know of the three local over-60 (Vancouver), over-62 (Clackamas), and over-65 (Portland) senior leagues. But the players in those leagues play with all the verve and excitement of younger players. Many have played since they graduated from high school or college. Many came back to the game after years and careers that focused on raising families and work.

All are grateful to have the opportunity and physical capability to play through their 60s, 70s, and 80s. And all hope to play for years to come.

Paul Ehrlich is a writer from Vancouver who plays senior softball.