The Friends of Joe Albi Stadium thank our citizens serving in the armed forces. We support our troups. Jim Albi will be representing the Friends of Joe Albi in the Lilac - Armed Forces parade. Several youths from the Spokane Youth Sports Association will accompany him - they will represent several different sports activities our young people can be involved in. Remember to stay active, stay healthy and thank our present and past armed forces personnel for serving our country!

From the NW Neighborhood Assn:

"The Northwest Neighborhood Association membership meeting will be held at 7:00 pm this Thursday, March 20 in the cafeteria at Browne Elementary School, 5012 N Driscoll Boulevard.

At our March membership meeting we will discuss the results of the recent public meetings on locating and building a new swimming pool in the northwest neighborhood. We hope to have a representative from the Spokane Police Department talk about the new policing structure that will begin this fall. There will also be reports on neighborhood planning and the Albi Sports Complex."

Now is the time to write your 'Letter to the Editor' in support of Proposition 1, the Parks and Recreation Facilities Improvements Bond. Although nothing in the proposition will benefit Albi Stadium directly, we were told by council representatives that about $75,000 would be used to purchase a tarp to protect the stadium's turf during concert type events. We do support the proposal even though Albi Stadium will lose about 30-40% of its current parking.

"The City Council for the City of Spokane approved a ballot proposition to be submitted to the voters for approval regarding the development, construction or improvement of park and recreational facilities, including improvements to the Joe Albi Stadium site, neighborhood pools and splash pads and baseball fields at various locations. The improvements to the Joe Albi Stadium site would include a softball complex, soccer fields, a skateboard park, a BMX bike park, playground and related facilities. The improvements to neighborhood pools and splash pads would include replacement of five existing outdoor pool, construction of one new neighborhood pool and installation of ten new splash pads throughout the City. The improvements to baseball fields would include construction of improvements to youth baseball fields at various city parks. To finance the development, construction or improvement of the park and recreational facilities, the votes will be asked to approve a ballot proposition for the issuance of general obligation bonds in a maximum principal amount of $42,900,000 to be repaid within twenty years from an annual excess levy on real property within the City."

As many of you may know, the Spokane City Council approved a measure to send a 40+ million bond to the people for their decision this Fall. The bond includes about $7 million to add to an existing $4 million to accomplish phase 1 of the Albi Sports & Recreation Complex (5-field lighted softball, 19 new soccer fields of various sizes, a baseball field, skate park, BMX bicycle park, playground, concessions, bathrooms, and paved parking.

The bond is great for children! It includes a new pool for the northwest part of town and repairs or replacement of 5 other Spokane pools.

All good. but at a cost to the stadium of a significant loss of parking.

Also included in the bond is a protective tarp to cover the artificial turf so concerts and other events can be held in Albi Stadium! (about $75,000)

We urge Spokane voters to support the bond. Please contact Paul or Jim with any questions.

Your moral support has kept us going. The Open House we held last Saturday did cost more than anticipated. Donations of any amount would be appreciated. Write checks to the 'Friends of Joe Albi', 6121 N Buffalo, Spokane, WA 99205.

Thanks for being a 'Friend of Joe Albi'!

Paul Hyndman for Jim Albi

The Friends of Joe Albi web site was created on September 12, 2005, through the generous hosting by MyInternetOnRamp. This site is still in the stages of construction! We appreciate your patience and suggestions.

Please join us in the effort to save the Albi Stadium and surrounding area for sports-related uses.