Bellevue city councilmembers expressed enthusiasm for a proposed partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue (BGCB) that would allow the organization to build and operate a gymnasium at Hidden Valley Park. The non-profit group and the city would share the costs for upgrades to sportsfields and other improvements for community use.

Hidden Valley Park, a 17-acre community park with three sportsfields (one of them lighted), is located on the west side of 112th Avenue Northeast, south of Northeast 24th Street and a few blocks north of downtown. Other park amenities include a 140-car parking lot, playground, lighted tennis court, restrooms and pathways.

Under the proposal considered Monday, Aug. 6, Bellevue would lease land for the gym to the BGCB for $1 per year and gain community access to the gym space when the BGCB is not using it. For its part, the BGCB would construct and operate the gym. The organizations would share the costs of converting the lighted field to synthetic turf, converting two other infields to turf and adding an unlighted sportsfield.

The total cost of the proposed project is $9.6 million. The BGCB would pay $6.8 million to build the gym (estimated construction cost is $4 million), upgrade the sportfields and make other site improvements; the City of Bellevue would pay $2.8 million for site improvements and the sportsfields.

Previously, the BGCB had asked the city about using Surrey Downs Park for a new facility; officials at the non-profit also asked about acquiring city-owned land at Bellevue Way and Northeast 20th Street. Bellevue and the BGCB have partnered before. In 2003, the BGCB agreed to contribute $1.5 million to the construction of the South Bellevue Community Center, where is currently provides programs to youth and teens.

Councilmember Kevin Wallace called the Hidden Valley Park proposal a “fantastic opportunity,” noting that his parents watched him play basketball at the existing Boys & Girls Club gym on 100th Avenue Northeast, and he’s watched his children play at the same gym.

Before an agreement is signed, a public outreach effort will be launched to educate the community about the proposal and seek feedback, funding must be secured, more contract details must be hammered out, and additional engineering and design work needs to be completed.