'Field of Dreams'

RATHDRUM - Lance Bridges calls it a "field of dreams."

Construction has started on Majestic Park, Rathdrum's first park since Stub Myers was built in 1982.

"It's fantastic to see how it's taking shape after being the middle of a wheat field," said Bridges, Rathdrum's parks and recreation director. "It's like a field of dreams coming together."

The 11.9-acre park east of Meyer Road next to the water tower will include two softball fields, a splash pad, walking trail, basketball court and picnic area.

"This will be a nice, new amenity for that part of the community that's growing," Bridges said.

City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Wednesday.

The park is expected to be open for public use in 2012.

"We want the turf to be strong for long-term maintenance purposes," said Bridges, explaining why it won't open in 2011.

Bridges said roughly $200,000 from impact fees the past five years is available for the project. Site grading, seeding and irrigation are the first priorities before fencing and backstops will be constructed.

Bridges said it will be a phased project.

"It will be a long-term process," he said. "As funding becomes available, we'll keep adding to it."

The city plans to apply for a state grant this winter to help with funding, Bridges said.

"I don't know any municipalities that can build a park all in one shot anymore," he said. "They are a challenge in today's economy."

Bridges said space for sporting events is already at a premium in Rathdrum, so the new park will ease pressure off other fields.

Bridges said the project is part of the city's plan to have a park within a mile and a half of every house.

"Development (around the park) will happen, but we don't want wall-to-wall homes," Bridges said. "We need to think about today, but we've also got to think about the future."