Football finals likely to be in Tacoma Dome this year

Prep games might move in 2003 if turf isn't replaced

GAIL WOOD THE OLYMPIAN

TACOMA -- The state high school football finals will likely return to the Tacoma Dome next fall, but if efforts to raise money for a new artificial surface are not successful the popular event may be in Seattle by 2003.

The playoffs moved from Seattle's now-demolished Kingdome to Tacoma seven years ago. Artificial turf the Seattle Seahawks used in the 1970s is in the Tacoma Dome, but the surface is considered so worn that it is a liability.

"My guess is it will be back in the Tacoma Dome next season, but beyond that it's up in the air," said Mike Colbrese, executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which oversees high school sports in the state.

"Something needs to be done about the artificial turf."

A citizen group, which Colbrese declined to identify, is putting together a grassroots effort to find a way to raise money for new turf to keep the football championships in Tacoma beyond next December.

"The Tacoma Dome is where we've wanted to be all along," Colbrese said.

New turf would cost about $1.3 million, while a used surface would be about $600,000.

Colbrese talked with the Seattle Seahawks about using their new stadium after Tacoma Dome director Mike Combs said last fall that they were planning on reconfiguring seating arrangements of the dome, eliminating the possibility of hosting football games.

But when voters recently voted down the proposal, the Tacoma Dome remained a viable site for football.

Colbrese said the Tacoma Dome is preferred by coaches, players and fans because it is indoors and the 16,000 seating capacity is a more fitting location for an event that draws 3,000 to 12,000 fans for each of the semifinal and final games held over two weekends.

Crowds that size would be lost in the new Seahawks stadium scheduled to be completed this summer.

Combs said the Tacoma Dome isn't interested in investing in new turf because only three weekends of football are played in the dome each year.

There are the two weekends for high school football and one for the Bacon Bowl, an annual fundraiser for the Tacoma and Seattle police departments.

The WIAA's contract with the Tacoma Dome expires after the 2002 season.

The Kingdome was the host for the title games for 18 years before the event moved to Tacoma.

Whatever happens with the football playoffs, the Tacoma Dome will continue to be the site for state wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics and basketball championships.

This season's basketball championships ended there last week.

Gail Wood covers sports for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5432 or gwood@olympia.gannett.com.

For more Prep Sports stories go to the Prep Sports section.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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