Harbor Heights sports complex on hold after site‑preparation cost estimate jumps
January 17, 2026 | Oak Harbor, Island County, Washington
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Oak Harbor — The Harbor Heights sports complex, a long‑discussed city acquisition intended to replace fields lost to development, remains on hold after staff reported a steep increase in site‑preparation costs.
During the Parks & Recreation Board workshop, Speaker 2 said the city has procured roughly 75 acres for the Harbor Heights project but that the project is currently listed as “on hold” in the CIP. Staff noted a $5.1 million placeholder for 2025 and about $885,000 in REIT funding already identified for the site, but stressed the majority of the buildout would depend on large external grant awards. "They'd like us to go get almost $40,000,000 in grants," Speaker 2 said.
The turning point for the project came when staff re‑examined site‑preparation estimates. "When we actually went to look at site prep, that went from, I think, it was 3,000,000 to $11,000,000," Speaker 2 said. The ballooning site‑prep figure, staff said, made the original sports‑field plan cost‑prohibitive and prompted the city to pause active construction planning for phase 1.
Board members urged staff to take a careful approach: perform site visits, re‑evaluate what the land can most affordably support (trails, partial fields, or staged field construction), and seek partners before committing to large civil earthwork. Several members warned against forcing an expensive, flat multi‑field complex onto a site that may be better suited for a mix of uses.
What’s next: staff recommended re‑scoping the property to identify the highest and best community uses and to pursue grant funding and partnerships. The board asked staff to continue community communication and to include Harbor Heights updates in future board agendas so residents can track project status.
No formal action was taken; the Harbor Heights line remains in the CIP but progress depends on further site analysis and external funding.
During the Parks & Recreation Board workshop, Speaker 2 said the city has procured roughly 75 acres for the Harbor Heights project but that the project is currently listed as “on hold” in the CIP. Staff noted a $5.1 million placeholder for 2025 and about $885,000 in REIT funding already identified for the site, but stressed the majority of the buildout would depend on large external grant awards. "They'd like us to go get almost $40,000,000 in grants," Speaker 2 said.
The turning point for the project came when staff re‑examined site‑preparation estimates. "When we actually went to look at site prep, that went from, I think, it was 3,000,000 to $11,000,000," Speaker 2 said. The ballooning site‑prep figure, staff said, made the original sports‑field plan cost‑prohibitive and prompted the city to pause active construction planning for phase 1.
Board members urged staff to take a careful approach: perform site visits, re‑evaluate what the land can most affordably support (trails, partial fields, or staged field construction), and seek partners before committing to large civil earthwork. Several members warned against forcing an expensive, flat multi‑field complex onto a site that may be better suited for a mix of uses.
What’s next: staff recommended re‑scoping the property to identify the highest and best community uses and to pursue grant funding and partnerships. The board asked staff to continue community communication and to include Harbor Heights updates in future board agendas so residents can track project status.
No formal action was taken; the Harbor Heights line remains in the CIP but progress depends on further site analysis and external funding.
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