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SPRINKER: Facility also has a public safety role
Peggy A. Leach, Spanaway
Published July 12, 2010
Last week, the heat arrived in the Puget Sound area, and a list of cooling centers was published in the TNT (7-8). And guess what? Sprinker Recreation Center is on the list – and it is open more hours than the others listed, such as public libraries. Read more...


SPRINKER: No excuse for neglect of facility
Kathleen Martin, Lakewood
Published July 9, 2010
I was shocked when I heard that Sprinker Recreation Center was closing because of the poor shape it was in due of the neglect of the county. How did that happen? Read more...


PARKS: Cut the fat and save Sprinker
Jeff Scott, Graham
Published July 9, 2010
I was shocked to read Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy's quote (TNT, 7-3). "At all costs" is by no means our rallying cry. The Friends of Sprinker are in no way going to be used by the executive and the County Council to raise the taxes of the citizens of Pierce County. Read more...


GOVERNMENT: Where is the stewardship?
Bob Patterson, Puyallup
Published July 1, 2010
Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. Consider these examples of the opposite: Read more...


SPRINKER: Faded jewel fights for its life
Pat Block, Puyallup
Published June 30, 2010
Over the past 15 years, Sprinker Recreation Center has been under the watch of three different Pierce County executives and numerous County Council members. Most ignored it while taxpayer funds were poured into other pet projects. Read more...


SPRINKER: Loss would be a terrible setback for recreation
Evelyn Scott, Kent
Published June 29, 2010
I became a friend of Sprinker about 6 years ago when my then 3-year-old granddaughter introduced me to the world of ice skating. Since that time I've attended, along with other family members and friends, many ice shows and competitions. Read more...


SPRINKER: More than just an ice rink would be lost
Martha Stokes, Black Diamond
Published June 29, 2010
Sprinker Recreation Center revenues account for more than 50 percent of Pierce County Parks and Recreation's total revenue countywide. Sprinker is the only facility of its kind in the state and perhaps the entire country that offers such a wide array of recreational activities in one location. Read more...


SPRINKER: County shouldn't wait to renovate center
Donna Mounts, Spanaway
Published June 29, 2010
Pierce County says it is going to try to find the the funds to renovate Sprinker Recreation Center. If it does, it would take a year to find funding and another year to renovate. That's two years that the building will be closed and without revenue. Read more...


SPRINKER: Who was minding the store?
Suzanne Bryson
Published June 28, 2010
I think it will be a sad sad day if Pierce County closes Sprinker Recreation Center. It is so important for our community and serves so much more than just ice skating. Read more...


SPRINKER: A case of county negligence
Doris A. Larson, Apache Junction
Published June 25, 2010
For 12 years, from the moment my daughters' blades first touched the ice, Sprinker Recreation Center has been an integral part of my life. I have been a volunteer, an employee, a skate mom and a recreational skater. Read more...


PIERCE COUNTY: Fund Sprinker, not golf course
Helen S. Arnestad, Tacoma
Published June 25, 2010
I read with dismay the suggestion to close Sprinker Recreation Center because of safety issues. Sprinker is a safe and healthy recreation center for youth to congregate, skate and join structured sessions of activities. Read more...


SPRINKER: Rink ruin reflects leadership gap
Michael P. Moyer, Tacoma
Published June 24, 2010
My attitude turned frosty when I read about the possible demise of the Sprinker Recreation Center. Once again, belatedly, Pierce County residents are told that we simply have to accept more taxes or creative financing in order to save a beloved service or it will go away. Nowhere is anyone held accountable for their lack of stewardship. Read more...


SPRINKER: Any tax must be targeted
Michael P. Moyer, Tacoma
Published June 24, 2010
The News Tribune's online poll asked readers if they support a tax increase to renovate Sprinker Recreation Center. The $30 million price tag would be of concern to any voter in the present economic climate. Read more...


SPRINKER: One man's dream now a disaster
Richaed E. Zierman, Spanaway
Published June 23, 2010
Many years ago, Tom Cross dreamed of building a one-of-a-kind recreation facility in Pierce County for all to enjoy and marvel at. After many years of promoting and hard work, his dream was realized when the beautiful Sprinker Recreation Center was dedicated in the name of Harry Sprinker, a past Pierce County commissioner. Read more...


SPRINKER: Skating history repeats itself
Loren Zimmerman, Tacoma
Published June 21, 2010
In 1939, the Lakewood Winter Club (LWC) was formed as a member club of the United States Figure Skating Association. It opened its doors for figure skating, hockey and public skating in the Lakewood Ice Arena on the shores of Lake Steilacoom. Read more...


SPRINKER: Pierce County should be embarassed
Peggy A. Leach, Spanaway
Published June 21, 2010
Did Sprinker ice arena just suddenly become in such a state of disrepair that it cannot be used? No! Years ago, there was talk at the county level of not only renovating, but adding an additional sheet of ice to attract more events. They said they had almost enough money at that time. Read more...


SPRINKER: County is closing a great place for kids
Donna Mounts, Spanaway
Published June 18, 2010
Pierce County really doesn't have much for kids to do in its south end. Closing Sprinker will be a crime for kids. We need a place that can used year-round and for multiple uses. Read more...


COUNTY COUNCIL: Your phones are ringing
Jeff Scott, Graham
Published June 7, 2010
I moved to Pierce county ten years ago. I was elected, by default, as the Water Commissioner in the Kapowsin area. This experience opened my eyes to a political world. The Pierce County Council has recently passed a resolution that suggests all county businesses use E-Verify. Does this affect us.....nope. It changes nothing. Read more...


COUNTY PARKS: Middle-aged men vs. kids
Jeff Scott, Graham
Published May 25, 2010
I don't hate the Chambers Bay golf course, however, last year the course estimates 38,000 rounds were played and required the use of $2.5 million in county funds for improvements at a cost of $64 per round. Read more...


PARKS: Sprinker's condition embarassing
Jeff Scott, Graham
Published May 20, 2010
My daughter has been involved in the sport of ice skating for the past seven years. Naturally I have become involved with the workings of the rink at Sprinker Recreation Center. I am concerned with its condition and the apparent attitude of the Pierce County Council to watch it decay. Read more...

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