EVERETT, APRIL 19: The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce has issued a formal statement of support for the proposed Everett Multipurpose Stadium Project, citing economic benefits and business attraction.
On Friday, April 18, the Everett Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted to back the City of Everett’s Outdoor Multipurpose Facility. The proposed stadium could act as the new home for the Everett AquaSox and is expected to host professional men’s and women’s United Soccer League (USL) teams, community events, concerts, and public recreational space.
“This project has the power to reenergize downtown, draw new audiences to Everett, and create meaningful economic impact for our business community,” Wendy Poischbeg, CEO of the Everett Chamber said.
Although the Chamber gave its support, they ask the city be transparent in its planning.
“But visionary projects must also be rooted in fiscal responsibility. That’s why our support comes with a call for continued due diligence and transparency as planning moves forward,” Poischbeg said.
Last year the city was tasked with finding a new stadium for the AquaSox after Major League Baseball (MLB) changed its requirements for Minor League Baseball (MiLB).
They had two options: either build a whole new stadium downtown or renovate the current site at Funko Field.
In December the council approved the downtown site option. The project is estimated to cost roughly $117. 5 million according to an advisory board created to analyze the fiscal impact of the stadium.
The city plans to use a mix of Capital Improvement Funds (CIP), state and private funding for the stadium. Although they approved a site location, the council has yet to vote on building the stadium all together.
The latest update on the project was on Wednesday, April 16 when the council approved a budget amendment allocating funds for work on the facility.
The amendment budgeted $600,000 for legal fees to be used for developing a financing plan, communicating with business owners and negotiating contracts, among other things.
The council was supposed to vote on the amendment last week but tabled the vote due to concerns over transparency related to spending.
Funding transparency has been an ongoing concern as the city works to get the project rolling. The city hopes to begin construction in 2026, having the first AquaSox game in the new stadium April 2027.
In February the council allocated $200,000 for construction company Bayley Construction to begin preliminary site and design work. Funds were taken from the city’s CIP funds, according to city project manager Scott Pattison.
“When we make decisions with taxpayer dollars we owe it to our taxpayers to be thorough and transparent and knowledgeable,” Councilmember Judy Tuohy said during a February council meeting. “I personally have a hard time with a ‘just keep spending’ approach without the solid answers.”
The Downtown site is estimated to bring in close $5 million per season, according to preliminary estimates by the Stadium Fiscal Advisory Board (SFAB).
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Council Recap: Next steps in AquaSox stadium, Everett Chamber
