Indoor tennis and outdoor model-aircraft flying are among the new activities coming to SeaTac parks following action by SeaTac lawmakers on Sept. 22.
Council members approved a plan to build a 12-court indoor tennis facility on a baseball field at Valley Ridge Park.
The Tennis Outreach Program would manage the facility. Parks director Kit Ledbetter said the facility could provide lessons for up to 192 at-risk youth per day.
Valley Ridge is located next to the Tyee High educational complex and Chinook Middle School. Bow Lake Elementary is also nearby.
With the three schools and a new YMCA building opening to the general public on Saturday, that stretch along South 188th Street could become "SeaTac's athletic corridor," council members were told.
Lawmakers also approved a one-year trial period that would allow electric-powered model aircraft to be flown at the former Riverton Heights school site.
The aircraft, called park flyers, weigh two pounds or less.
Ledbetter noted the Federal Aviation Administration has given approval for the model flights near Sea-Tac International Airport. The planes fly at 400 feet or less, according to Ledbetter.
In other council action, lawmakers approved a zoning change to allow the Cedarbrook training center to also be used as a hotel.
Planning director Steve Butler reported that the sale of Cedarbrook to Wright Hotels and the Anches Companies is expected to close soon.
Cedarbrook is owned by JPMorgan Chase, which acquired it when Chase took over Washington Mutual. It has been used as a training facility and for special events, such as conferences and weddings.
Wright president Stuart Rolfe and Anches principal Jerry Anches said there would be no significant change in use except for occasional stays by "free and independent travelers" not related to companies booking conferences at the center.
Council members also modified the employment agreement for city manager Craig Ward.
The new agreement terminates Ward's contract on Dec. 31, unless otherwise extended by written mutual agreement.
The amendment also provides that Ward will receive all earned vacation leave and the city will pay three months of COBRA medical, dental and vision benefits for him when he leaves.
A proposition on the SeaTac general election ballot would replace the city's manager/council form of government with an elected mayor. If passed, the elected mayor would supervise city staff instead of Ward.
