Big Bend talks dome project

Facility would host soccer program

MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College President Bill Bonaudi spoke Tuesday about the college's interest in building an indoor soccer field on college property.

Bonaudi discussed the Bend Dome facility at a Board of Trustees special meeting.

"We would be drawing people from across our entire college district to use this facility," Bonaudi told the board.

The estimated $11 million facility would be 126,000 square feet in size, he said.

"In preliminary discussions we've had with the City of Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department, and members of our college district, there is great interest in a soccer facility," Bonaudi said.

He said the facility would be housed on college land, but not necessarily operated or owned by the college.

The facility's proximity to the gymnasium, library and Wallenstien Theater provides an opportunity to explore the facility's function as a multipurpose building, he said. With artificial turf inside, facility users could drive on the turf to move equipment around. Bonaudi also cited the size of the doors as being conducive to bringing in display equipment.

He brought up the idea of people using the building for ethnic celebrations.

"You could have a pretty good festival in a building of this size," Bonaudi said.

Administrative Services Vice President Ken Turner said the building would be twice the size of the college's ATEC building.

Bonaudi said the college is interested in private funding rather than state funding.

"For this to be built, we believe it's got to be (a) private-public partnership for the funding," he said.

After the meeting, Bonaudi said the project does not fit funding priorities within the community college system.

Trustee Mike Blakely asked who would make money from the facility's use.

Bonaudi said it would be the facility's operator.

"I think there's a good selling point that they can generate some income," Blakely said.

He noted the facility would need to be available to the college's teams.

Bonaudi said the next steps for the project include talking more openly about the facility to the college's communities, and selecting a consultant to analyze the project and see what private support may be available.