NORTH BEND – At the same time a task force was meeting at City Hall to mull over North Bend’s options for keeping Si View Park open, Terril Perrine was giving a handful of young soccer players a water break after shepherding them through a series of drills in the middle of the park’s grassy expanse.

It was a perfect day for soccer – and any sport for that matter. Bright blue skies and warm temperatures brought out children and adults Wednesday, Aug. 28, to practice their soccer skills, take batting practice, catch pop flies and swat balls back and forth on the tennis courts.

Such days may soon come to an end. In a few months, Si View’s park, community center and pool could be closed to the public, falling victim to budget cuts as King County tries to close a $52 million shortfall for 2003.

County Executive Ron Sims has proposed transferring Si View and other parks and pools located within city boundaries to their respective cities by the end of the year or face being mothballed. The Parks and Recreation Division, which operates the facilities, expects to see its budget shrink from $25 million this year to $10 million next year.

“I don’t want to go to Issaquah to do this stuff,” said Perrine, who was filling in last week as coach. He doesn’t want Si View to close, but he also doesn’t want North Bend to take over the facility.

He feels Si View, which is used by people living inside and outside North Bend city limits, is best left within King County’s stable of parks.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this weeks Valley Record