TACOMA, WA: Most of the Jefferson Park fieldhouse, which was damaged by two arson fires in 2021, has been demolished.
Although the majority of the 3,000-square-foot building was taken down, a portion of the structure that supports park operations will remain.
For the public’s safety, the sprayground must remain closed while this work is completed. The contractor currently estimates that it will take two weeks to complete this project, however, in the event of unforeseen issues they have until July 12.
About the Fieldhouse:
Dating back to 1922 and improved by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) era in the late 1930s, the nearly 15-acre Jefferson Park has long been an example of community involvement and dedication. In recent years, the park has supported summer and playground programs, and the fieldhouse was the only indoor fitness facility among North End parks.
Unfortunately, two arson fires set in April and September 2021, resulted in the building becoming unusable. The first blaze was started in the men’s restroom. While Metro Parks staff were determining how to handle repairs, another fire was started in a portable toilet and spread to the women’s restroom, causing extensive damage.
An assessment of conditions showed that the extent of the fire’s structural and smoke damage made renovation of the existing building impractical and cost prohibitive, which is why the insurance company – after a long, involved process – provided $289,000 to demolish most of the fieldhouse. There are no additional funds identified at this time to replace the fieldhouse.
Metro Parks is committed to investing in this park and exploring possible future amenities. As part of our long-range planning, we are developing a comprehensive capital needs assessment and will be engaging with the community to discuss future options for the park. This will enable us to envision how a replacement of the structure can be tailored to meet today’s needs and community uses in a way the old fieldhouse did not.
Community members interested in participating in future planning for Jefferson Park, which is anticipated to begin in early 2025, are invited to share contact information and input for Metro Parks using this link.
Probably not a good day to close the spray park.