Since the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) in Lacey has been open, it has welcomed many teams of all age groups and skill levels from within the Nisqually Valley and across Washington state to compete at its facilities.
The popular athletic complex will soon receive a facelift, according to Jennifer Burbidge, Lacey parks and recreation director, who said the City of Lacey is moving toward constructing phase three of the RAC, which she estimated to cost $10 million.
“We are definitely on a tight timeline. We have funding that’s going to be available through the public facilities district, and so there’s definitely a timeline for that. We need to construct in 2027. Everything we do now is gearing up for that construction in 2027,” Burbidge said. “The Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District (CAR-PFD) is going to be the source of the funding. The current RAC is partially funded by that funding source, and due to a 15-year extension that the Legislature allowed for this particular PFD, that’s how the city is able to fund this project. We do think it will be right around a $10 million project.”
Though Burbidge and the City of Lacey won’t know what upgrades will occur until its consultant presents concept plans to Lacey City Council in May, she said there’s already a good idea of what’s wanted at the facility.
“What we do know is we would like baseball, softball and fastpitch opportunities in the new space. These are user groups that we most frequently turn away because we don’t have enough space in our current facilities,” Burbidge told the Nisqually Valley News on Tuesday, Jan. 28. “There’s also the knowledge that we could increase the number of tournaments we’re able to run at the RAC with more baseball, softball and fastpitch emphasis.”
She added that the project could also consider a “multi-purpose field” concept for different uses such as soccer, lacrosse, football, ultimate frisbee and more.
“Depending on how far the funding goes and what the cost estimates come in at, we’re looking at potential upgrades to the current RAC,” she said. “We’re hopeful to be able to convert one of the natural grass fields over to synthetic turf, with field lights, so we can extend the amount of use the community can have on that specific field.”
She noted there’s currently one soccer field with lights and synthetic turf at the RAC, and the City and its stakeholders are hopeful to gain a second turf field. It will all depend on the total cost though, she said.
Currently, the RAC has five softball, baseball and fastpitch fields, six regulation size soccer, football and rugby fields, picnic tables, outdoor facilities for events, playgrounds, concession stands and 2 miles of trails for walking. It also has welcomed the field of 3A teams in the spring for the annual WIAA 3A State Championship Tournament.
“The RAC is important to the community for many different reasons. There are a lot of spaces at the RAC that are free use to the public. It’s a neighborhood or community park. It’s that general community place to be able to experience physical fitness and wellness opportunities. It’s important for people to have places to go so that they can be well, fit, and healthy,” Burbidge said. “During the seasons where it’s OK to use the fields, there’s tons of soccer, lacrosse, football, rugby, ultimate frisbee — I’m probably forgetting some of them. There’s a lot of groups that are able to book those fields and use them for sports, teamwork and physical fitness.”
According to Burbidge, Experience Olympia and Beyond helped the RAC with an economic calculator and determined the facilities helped bring in $15 million to the local economy in 2024, and benefited more than just the RAC.
“With the new project and that space finally getting developed, that’s always been the long term plan for the city. It’s really exciting that it’s finally coming to fruition because this funding is available. It’s an opportunity to be able to finally complete the sports fields that have been planned for the city for a very long time,” Burbidge said. “It’s going to be a further opportunity to fit in with the current mission of the RAC, which is serving local residents and serving people who come in from out of town.”
