The city of Pasco is keen to secure its continued access to the Pasco Sporting Complex, which it built on Franklin County land more than 30 years ago, and appears willing to give up another park to get it.

The city council in June approved offering Volunteer Park, appraised at just under $1.9 million, as well as $13 million in cash to Franklin County in exchange for the west Pasco sports facility. It previously offered the county the park and a smaller cash consideration of $8.1 million, which was rejected.

Franklin County Administrator Brian Dansel confirmed to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business that the county received the city’s most recent offer and that commissioners are considering it. Formal discussions at a future commission meeting have not yet been scheduled.

City council members acknowledged they have heard citizen concerns about the city vying for the complex despite a tight financial position. However, city officials said the money for the purchase would come from funds that can’t be used for other city services and would secure a facility that is an economic engine for the city as much as a community resource.

“We do have a lot of tournaments that use it year after year,” City Manager Harold Stewart told the council. “Without the city having legal access to the facility, it makes it difficult to continue doing that.”

Pasco built the complex in 1994 after leasing the ground from the county off Burden Boulevard and adjacent to the HAPO Center and Gesa Stadium. The city operated, maintained and improved the facility ever since and estimates its annual economic impact at $6 million for hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Stewart said the city’s lease with the county for the complex property expired last year, and the county has not shown any interest in extending it.

Earlier this year the county approached the city about acquiring Volunteer Park, which sits between the Franklin County Courthouse and Pasco City Hall. The county has grown its staff in recent months as it severs joint operations with neighboring Benton County and establishes its own services – and it needs somewhere to house them.

City council members Mark Figueroa and Abel Campos said buying the complex does present with poor optics at the moment. The city is facing the need for millions of dollars in cuts and efficiencies to right size its budget.

“Reality is the city is a little bit strapped right now,” Campos said.

But there were also concerns about losing access to a facility that supports local business and also the city’s youth.

“This is the first step of showing the community that we value recreation for our kids,” said Councilman Leo Perales said. “This is honestly a sound decision.”