The community sports fields project at the end of Carter Avenue is on the 50-yard line, with curbs, gutters, roads and sidewalks completed and the clubhouse under construction.

Donny Galt Jr., president of the Friday Harbor Athletic Association, put the value of the work to date at $1.3 million —funded through private donations and volunteer labor. Now under way: grading the sports fields and completion of the clubhouse.

Upon completion, the site — which the athletic association is calling “San Juan Island Community Park” — will feature six practice and playing fields (one football field, two soccer fields, two softball fields, and one baseball field), about one mile of walking trails, picnic areas, a clubhouse with restrooms and concessions, and a reservation for a future school if required.

Two playing fields are scheduled for completion in summer 2009. Final completion is slated for summer 2010, weather and funding permitting, Galt said. The remaining work will cost about $960,000, he said.

The Friday Harbor Athletic Association, which is developing the fields in partnership with the San Juan Island School District, must install drainage to control the flow of stormwater. Measures include perimeter drains that will carry water to stormwater detention ponds. Stormwater would then continue on to the town’s stormwater system leading to the harbor.

Boundary Waters, a Friday Harbor engineering firm formerly known as MPD, is handling the site’s stormwater plan. A representative of the firm said water flow and water quality will be monitored during the rainy season.

Galt said the hardest work is over, which he called a milestone “achieved through the generosity of several members in our community who have donated their time and resources to make this project come to life.”

The San Juan Island School District, Island Rec, the Friday Harbor Athletic Association, Friday Harbor Baseball and Softball, San Juan Youth Soccer and other local groups currently share the two baseball fields and the one multi-use sports field at Friday Harbor Elementary School. With multiple sports teams and leagues sharing this one facility, scheduling and coordinating practices and athletic events have become increasingly difficult. The athletic association and school district hope that with the completion of the San Juan Island Community Park the island will have the ability to host additional athletic events and offer new programs to the community.

The Friday Harbor Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of serving the youth of Friday Harbor by creating and providing a positive environment for the development of sportsmanship, athletic skills and character.

The association operates programs and sports teams for youth between the ages of 6 and 15 in football, arena football, flag football, girls and boys basketball, lacrosse, and cheerleading. It was founded by Don Galt Sr. in 1987. The association is overseen by 11 board members and eight honorary board members.

Donny Galt Jr. offered thanks to the following for “making the San Juan Community Park come true.”

Barbara Buck, Charles T. Karpf Sr., San Juan County, Lafarge Corporation, Rich Komen, Edgar and Polly Stern, Rob McGregor, E.J. and Elizabeth Thorndike, Steve Cotton, San Juan Builders Association, Tom and Tina Cagwin, Ed and Peg Strickland, Tim Sawyer, Joe and Patty Ashlock, Terry Lembeck, Paul Register, Town of Friday Harbor,

Bob Hannah, Mary Lou Hannah Trust, Brim Tractor Company, Harbor Rental Company, Island Petroleum Services, Apex Enterprises, Denny Martel Well Drilling, Star Surveying, Al Mauldin’s Well Service, Richard Lawson Construction, Island Wholesale, Michael Tranfo Architects, Wizard Enterprises, Inc, Bruce and Dorian Baker,

Friday Harbor Electric, Hart Pacific Engineering, Second Wind Enterprises, Bob Nieman, Black Family Enterprises, Thor Black, Jim and Widget Webert, Bryant/Crane Charitable Trust, Vanguard Charitable Endowment, Erik Edshammer, Corliss Excavating, Cutting Edge Service, Dave and Bert Moorhouse, Harvey’s Excavation, John Linde, Printonyx,

MEM Construction, Island Concrete, Ashcraft Homes, Browne’s Home Center, Peter Schmidt Construction, KSD Construction, Inter Island Electric, Northwest Plumbing, John Kurtz Painting, Pacific Rim Insulation, Miller Drywall, Glenn Hargrove Excavation, & Brent Brophy.

“We have had an overwhelming amount of support from volunteers and if we have missed anyone, please accept our apologies,” Galt said. “We will make sure you’re in our next San Juan Community Park update.”