BELLINGHAM, WA—(press release) Northwest Soccer Park, one of the county’s most active athletic facilities for nearly 25 years, is about to undergo a major transformation, thanks to a generous influx of funding combined from the state legislature and Phillips 66.

The Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery produces gasoline and diesel with approximately 400 employees residing in Whatcom County. “The Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery workforce is proud of the contributions we’ve made in Ferndale, Bellingham and other surrounding communities,” said Ferndale refinery manager Rich Harbison. “To our knowledge, this is the largest single gift we’ve made during more than 60 years of operation here in Whatcom County, and we’re excited that this donation will benefit so many young people and adults.”

Whatcom Sports & Recreation will combine funding allocated to the soccer park in the 2015-17 Washington State budget with a $700,000 donation from Phillips 66 to construct two artificial turf fields, with lights and scoreboard.

“As the demands of a large number of athletic programs for both youth and adult have changed over the past several years to more year-round play, our current facilities have been stressed to meet program demands,” said Lance Calloway, executive director, Whatcom Sports & Recreation. “With the completion of this project, Whatcom County athletic programs such as youth and adult soccer, lacrosse, Boys & Girls Club football, high school athletic programs and Ultimate Frisbee will benefit from these turf upgrades. The turf fields will be open to a wide variety of user groups to reserve and utilize.”

The soccer park, located on the corner of Northwest Drive and Smith Road in Bellingham, is home to Whatcom County Youth Soccer Association and Whatcom County Adult Soccer Association, serving nearly 10,000 kids and adults playing year-round. The upgrades are anticipated to be complete in early to mid-April 2016.

“The addition of these artificial turf fields will be a huge benefit to the athletic programs of Whatcom County,” said Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws. “These will double the current all-weather turf fields available to the various user groups from two to four fields in Whatcom County.”

The turf project has been made possible through a collaboration of public and private sector partnership and investment. During the latest Washington State budget session, 42nd District State Sen. Doug Ericksen helped garner legislative support to include $2 million for the soccer park project in the current 2015-17 Washington State budget, which was approved July 1. “This will be a great asset for our community for decades to come,” commented Ericksen.

About Whatcom Sports & Recreation:

Whatcom Sports & Recreation, a non-profit organization, develops recreational facilities and programs for Whatcom County and surrounding area residents. Their goal is to provide affordable, safe, fun and healthy environments where the community can enjoy a wide range of unique recreational programs and activities. WSR also operates the Bellingham Sportsplex in the Civic Complex. The newly named Phillips 66 Soccer Park was originally developed through a public-private partnership with Whatcom County Parks and Whatcom Soccer Commission (now Whatcom Sports & Recreation) dating back to 1986 when Whatcom Co. Parks provided the ground lease to Whatcom Soccer Commission, which evolved into Whatcom Sports & Recreation. WSR has over the years developed the soccer park to its current configuration of up to 13 full-size fields through grants, fundraising events, user fees and sponsorships.

About Phillips 66:

Phillips 66 is a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company. With a portfolio of Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses, the company processes, transports, stores and markets fuels and products globally. Phillips 66 Partners, the company’s master limited partnership, is an integral asset in the portfolio. Headquartered in Houston, the company has 14,000 employees committed to safety and operating excellence. Phillips 66 had $49 billion of assets as of Sept. 30, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.phillips66.com or follow us on Twitter @Phillips66Co.