EVERETT — Efforts to keep the AquaSox in Everett took a step forward last week.
The City Council Nov. 29 signed off on two professional services agreements related to the Everett Stadium Project, which will be the new home of the AquaSox.
The council unanimously approved an $807,000 contract with Environmental Science Associates to serve as the SEPA consultant, and a $344,000 contract with Shiels, Obletz, Johnsen to serve as project manager for the stadium project.
City officials hope to see the project come to fruition in the next several years.
“Our goal is to have baseball played in a new or remodeled stadium in 2026,” Scott Pattison, special project manager for the City of Everett, said.
The city is looking at one of three options for the AquaSox stadium – remodeling current Funko Field, tear down and rebuild the stadium, or build a new one in downtown at Pacfic and McDougall avenues.
People attending the meeting spoke in favor of the stadium and the affordability of Minor League Baseball and their role helping the community.
Steven McGinley, an Everett resident and the father of a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, donned a Frogs jersey to speak in support of keeping the AquaSox in Everett.
“Trying to find something affordable in this world to do with them is so hard,” McGinley said. “We’re losing these opportunities left and right.”
Tammy Dunn, executive director for the Snohomish County Sports Commission, highlighted the AquaSox’s
involvement in the community.
“Everett AquaSox have been involved with the community,” Dunn said about the AquaSox’s summer reading programs and baseball camps. “Don’t let baseball disappear from this community.”
Everett resident Ethan Coffey, who said he worked in compliance for Major League Baseball and has visited 20 Major League parks and 20 Minor League parks said, “I can confidently say Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium is one of the worst stadiums in the country.”
He described a no vote would be a “dagger in the heart” for the future of the AquaSox noting 43 cities lost their teams in 2021 and none of them returned.
Major League Baseball imposed new stadium requirements for Minor League baseball teams. The AquaSox will be paying a six-figure fine next year for not meeting the minimum standards.
If a Minor League team doesn’t make significant progress on meeting stadium standards, then Major League Baseball will either move the team or take away the franchise.
Pattison, the city’s special projects manager said in an interview after the meeting, standards include better dugouts, clubhouse for visiting and home teams, locker rooms for umpires and for women. Other requirements include improving the field such as making center field deeper, more netting for safety and better press box.
The SEPA process will take between 10 and 12 months to complete, Pattison said.
“This is the most prudent and appropriate process for the city to follow,” Pattison said. He noted the owners of the AquaSox are also looking at the feasibility and cost analysis of renovating the current stadium.
The $1.1 million needed to pay for the consultants comes from the city. The state has chipped in $7.4 million for the stadium project.
The City Council originally considered the consultant agreements Nov. 15, but held off on deciding until Nov. 29.
“I want to thank our council members for their continued support of the important work our city has undertaken in partnership with Snohomish County, the AquaSox, community leaders and others, to explore our options to keep our beloved Minor League Baseball team. I also want to thank all the community members who have shared their support recently,” Mayor Cassie Franklin said in a written statement.
