Frequently Asked Questions

NKU is a collaborative initiative addressing the growing need for quality sports fields and active recreation facilities in North Kitsap County. The region currently faces limited and overcrowded play spaces with few recreational activity options. Limited services in healthcare, wellness, and childcare are also being incorporated into the project.

As the community grows, demand for accessible places where kids can play, practice, compete, and stay healthy increases. This project brings together local partners and leaders to deliver multi-generational recreation space that serves ALL ages.

The envisioned sports and active recreation complex on centrally-located land will feature:

• Multiple sports fields for soccer, baseball/softball, football, lacrosse, and more
• Space for numerous community leagues, practices, and tournaments
• Year-round opportunities for play, fitness, active recreation, and extended family activities
• Connections to and extensions of existing trails and public green spaces
• Promotion of health, teamwork, leadership, and community pride
• A YMCA

This project will strengthen youth sports leagues, support local clubs for continued advancement, and foster active lifestyles for all ages for generations to come.

Following the County Commissioners' decision of "No" on the rezone application on June 23, 2025, the project shifted direction. Raydient is now working toward a land purchase agreement with the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club and another non-profit conservation organization for 400+ acres off Bond Road.

The vision continues to include a YMCA and sports and recreation campus, while the residential housing component is no longer part of the project.

Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary recognized a growing, ongoing need for additional sports fields and recreational opportunities in North Kitsap dating back to 2016. Members are parents, athletes, coaches, fans, and neighbors who see firsthand how limited access to quality facilities affects kids, families, and teams.

For years, the club has been committed to creating a welcoming, accessible place where anyone—regardless of age or organizational affiliation—can reserve a field or court and practice or play at a well-maintained, high-quality venue. Families want a better youth sports experience offering adequate fields, reasonable practice times, and the ability to stay close to home rather than traveling across Kitsap County and beyond.

Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary views this as a unique opportunity to bring a sports and recreation complex and 300+ more acres of forest preservation, trails, and purposeful animal wildlife corridors to the North Kitsap community—something the community has requested for years and a need identified dating back to 1995.

Rotary has researched this project since 2017, and this land acquisition opportunity offers a location and organizations to collaborate on a mutual vision. Each of the four organizations brings different expertise, broadening their abilities to create a facility fulfilling current and future North Kitsap needs. The Raydient land's central location benefits ALL North Kitsap communities.

Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary is working with multiple government and non-profit organizations alongside the YMCA to use land currently held by Raydient to build a sports and recreation complex and extend the Port Gamble Heritage Park. Each organization will be responsible for different project parts and associated costs, with Rotary's focus on funding and constructing a wide range of outdoor and indoor facilities not covered by the YMCA complex vision.

Several project phases exist. Phase One is Land Acquisition—the current stage. Funds should be raised and land acquired to start complex construction by end of 2027. The YMCA construction will begin several years later.

Powerful synergy exists in pairing a YMCA with a public sports and recreation campus, creating a hub for connection, wellness, and opportunity. The YMCA brings wide-ranging programs addressing currently unmet North Kitsap needs, including childcare, health and wellness services, and youth and family support.

North Kitsap teens lack safe, available gathering opportunities; the Y offers cost-free teen programs and elderly services otherwise available only in Greater Seattle Areas.

Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary helps move the community vision forward by building awareness, leading fundraising efforts, and convening partners in support of a future sports and recreation complex serving North Kitsap.

Rotary will not be the builder or operator. Rather, the role is catalyst and connector—providing early momentum, community support, and resources to make the project possible. This mirrors Rotary's involvement with the Village Green, where Rotarians helped champion the idea and raise funds, while long-term ownership and management were handled by others. A similar role is anticipated as this project continues developing.

Like the Village Green, Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary does not intend to build, own, operate, or maintain the facility. The long-term vision transfers the project to a public agency, government entity, or non-profit organization like the YMCA with expertise and capacity for sustainable operation and maintenance.

Rotary's role is advancing the project to a point where long-term stewardship becomes possible. The club actively converses with potential owner-operators, continuing to identify the best long-term solution ensuring the facility is well-managed, accessible, and maintained for North Kitsap community benefit.

A well-documented shortage of sports and recreation facilities exists throughout Kitsap County, most acute in North Kitsap. The "North Kitsap Recreation Facility Feasibility Study" conducted by Berk & Associates in December 2024 found North Kitsap has roughly half the athletic fields expected for a community its size based on national benchmarks.

Most existing fields (80+%) are owned by the North Kitsap School District, significantly limiting public access. Youth sports leagues and community groups face chronic shortages, overcrowding, limited practice times, and safety concerns from field condition overuse.

Even with planned improvements, current and projected demand far exceeds available capacity. As North Kitsap grows, this gap will widen. County planning anticipates significant population increases with North Kitsap absorbing a disproportionate share. Despite decades of community discussion and past facility development efforts, needs have never been fully met. The study confirms North Kitsap lacks both quantity and facility diversity needed to serve residents equitably now and in the future.

Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary has a long history supporting and improving existing sports and recreation facilities. The club worked with the North Kitsap School District (NKSD) and Kingston Youth Sports Association (KYSA) improving Kingston Middle School fields and previously fundraised for Kingston High School field lighting (2008). Rotary members annually support local trails and open spaces maintenance.

The proposed sports and recreation complex complements—not replaces—existing facilities by relieving overused field pressure, expanding access, and helping North Kitsap meet both current and future community needs. Local nonprofit organizations and schools are encouraged to apply for club grants.

No. Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary does not intend to build competing infrastructure. The goal complements existing and planned facilities by partnering with PERC and other organizations addressing broader North Kitsap recreational needs. Rotary commends their efforts bridging the community gap and is excited seeing completion soon.

Rotary commits to collaborative work with the City of Poulsbo and other community partners ensuring facilities are coordinated, not duplicative, serving current and future residents across North Kitsap. The PERC project is a two adult, tournament-sized soccer field partnership with Olympic College. While excited seeing this reach construction in 2026, it will satisfy less than one quarter of today's needs and shortfall—and a fraction of tomorrow's future demand.

A sports and recreation complex would expand much-needed facility access for community use and youth sports while creating a welcoming space for all ages gathering, playing, and connecting.

Additionally, such a campus can support the local economy by enabling North Kitsap to host games, tournaments, camps, and retreats—bringing visitors supporting local businesses, restaurants, and lodging. Communities across Washington have seen similar facilities strengthen both quality of life and economic vitality, offering the same opportunity for North Kitsap.

Early research by Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) found this project could result in $100M+ economic benefit to Kitsap County—positive considering County officials face $8M+ budget deficit (January 2026) and Washington State an over $5B deficit (March 2026).

Before exploring this location, the Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary Club and its members actively evaluated multiple sites within the Kingston UGA over 8+ years. Each presented significant limitations including critical areas, streams, wetlands, topography, logistics, and county setback requirements.

The current location provides the most viable opportunity for a centrally-located facility serving the broader North Kitsap community with necessary space and long-term flexibility.

Yes. Sports and recreation facilities are permitted outside Urban Growth Areas under current Kitsap County code without zoning changes. Rural Wooded designation allows public and community-serving uses, including recreation, when designed to preserve open space and maintain rural character.

The project supports GMA goals by balancing community needs with environmental protection and sustainability.

No. Kingston–North Kitsap Rotary is a nonprofit service organization that does not profit from this project. The role involves identifying community needs and bringing people and resources together to address them.

Similar to their Village Green involvement, Rotary champions the idea and fundraises while long-term ownership and management are handled by others.

The property is privately-owned timberland adjacent to—but not part of—Port Gamble Heritage Park. While historically allowing informal public use of logging roads and trails, access is not guaranteed.

North Kitsap United commits to working with partners to protect existing trails and maintain connections to the park wherever possible.

The exact number has not been finalized. Approximately 4-baseball and 4-multi-sport fields would achieve normal field ratios for a community this size.

Final scope will be guided by a comprehensive needs assessment and fundraising efforts. Fields are intended to be multi-purpose supporting multiple sports.

Field surface decisions remain unfinal. Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary will work with technical experts considering environmental concerns, maintenance requirements, community needs, and long-term costs.

The goal is selecting surfaces balancing playability, sustainability, responsible stewardship, and ongoing maintenance for year-round use.

North Kitsap United recognizes these as important considerations. A preliminary feasibility report evaluated site conditions regarding soils, drainage, and environmental features. Soils are highly permeable, favorable for stormwater infiltration. No streams or standing wetlands were observed.

Traffic analysis indicates roadway improvements near Bond Road would be needed, potentially including signals or roundabouts. Development requires State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review addressing wetlands, water quality, geotechnical studies, traffic, noise, and light pollution. Mitigation and improvements would be made prior to or concurrent with opening.

Improving access for all community members is important. Kitsap County is planning a park-and-ride facility near this land served by public transportation.

North Kitsap United is working with Sound to Olympic Trail advocates exploring potential connections between the complex and the planned ADA-accessible trail, allowing safe foot or bicycle access and reducing transportation barriers.

No. Planning and capital construction are expected to be funded through private donations, sponsorships, grants, and non-tax revenue sources.

Long-term operations and maintenance will be handled by a future owner-operator evaluated separately, minimizing reliance on public taxation. This mirrors the Village Green process from 2007-2016.

No. YMCA membership will not be required for public sports and recreation facilities. Fields and courts remain open and accessible to the broader community and sports clubs/organizations.

Teams may reserve fields for modest maintenance fees. Casual use and community access require no membership. The YMCA offers free Friday Teen Nights and scholarships for youth.

YMCA market research (2016 and 2023) found a Poulsbo location too close to their existing Silverdale facility. Studies showed a centrally-located North Kitsap site better serves potential members and addresses community needs.

Currently over 3,500 North Kitsap residents commute to Silverdale. A North Kitsap facility reduces commuters, reaches more residents, serves broader populations, and plans responsibly for anticipated growth.

Current focus is acquiring property within the next year. The permitting process is expected to take over a year before field construction begins.

Permitting, field construction, and early-phase amenities like dog parks, frisbee golf courses, and playgrounds could begin in late 2027 or early 2028.

Support is needed to acquire land and bring the project to life. Contributions help acquire land for fields and recreation space, build safe facilities for youth and families, create community gathering spaces, and support youth health and wellness through sports.

Donation methods:

• Checks to Kingston Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 432, Kingston, WA 98346, marked "Attention: NKU"
• Donor-Advised Funds, stock, and in-kind donations: contact kingstonsportscomplex@gmail.com
• GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/kingston-sports-field-complex