The regional wrestling and tennis center will break in Chehalis in 2022

By The Chronicle staff

There are plans for a regional indoor wrestling and quadrangle tennis facility near Chehalis Middle School for high school wrestlers as well as high school and adult tennis players.

Steve Ward, the recently retired CFO of Centralia College, will be the construction manager for the project.

“My retirement didn’t last long; I am excited to be able to lend my experience in overseeing the construction of new facilities for this project, ”Ward said in a statement.

The facility is the product of a partnership between the Chehalis Foundation, Chehalis School District, Centralia Foundation, Lewis County Tennis Association and Chehalis Activators, and is designed to enhance Chehalis Middle School’s wrestling program and provide Centralia and Chehalis to high schools and adults. According to the Chehalis Foundation release, tennis teams can practice, hold matches and tournaments regardless of the weather.

“More than 100 Tiger and Bearcat boys and girls play high school tennis every year. They learn a lifelong sport. Thanks to the multi-field interiors, our student athletes can compete with players from anywhere, ”Chehalis tennis coach Jack State said in a written statement.

The steering committee, chaired by Jenny Collins, director general of the Chehalis Foundation, developed the plant’s original plans.

“Tennis has been a very important part of my family from Nanna (80 years old) to the youngest 10 year old. It is a multi-generational and lifelong sport,” Collins said in a written statement. “But in recent years, we have lacked adequate indoor tennis courts, and this solution is another great opportunity for Lewis County youth to have facilities that can help them as an athlete, regardless of their financial status. I am so excited about what this new facility means to our community.”

The facility is intended to increase the region’s attractiveness as a sports, tourism and entertainment destination, provide a first-class multi-location facility for residents and visitors abroad, improve the region’s overall quality of life and livability, take advantage of existing and planned tourism efforts, provide other potential development, including private sector investment; relations with educational institutions in the area, to provide places for the expansion of existing education and sports programs and the development of new programs in local schools, and to increase economic activity in the form of expenditure, jobs and income, the Chehalis Foundation said in a press release.

Ward was among the 10 members of the steering committee.

“Steve Ward is the most experienced and proven public construction assistant in Lewis County. It is a great impetus for this project that he is involved,” Collins said.

Ward has been recognized as a visionary and driving force behind the expansion and revitalization of the Centralia College campus.

“There are many reasons why I want to help,” Ward said. “First, this facility is another valuable part of attracting new businesses and jobs to our region. It brings here adult and youth tournaments that generate revenue for local businesses. It is imperative to give our local tennis kids the ability to compete with anyone and it will be the impetus for the Chehalis wrestling program as Chehalis wrestlers need a good place for their practice. We’re going to get this done, and when we do, the Centralia and Chehalis communities are proud of what we’ve built as a team. ”

The $ 3 million construction project is scheduled to break in 2022. Fundraising will officially begin in November. According to the Chehalis Foundation, $ 800,000 has already been promised or donated to the facility.