Facilities

Tacoma Public Schools boasts some of the areas most desired and frequently used artificial turf fields and school facilities. While priority use is designated for our own programs, public rentals are available. Facility rentals are governed by the District Use of School Facilities Policy 4260 and Regulation 4260R.

All facility use requires proof of liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000) listing Tacoma Public Schools as a certificate holder.

Reservations must be made 30-60 days in advance of your event date, and payment of rental fees is required prior to use.

Starting April 1, 2024, facility rental prices are changing. Please view the 'Pricing and Rules" tab below for the updated prices and fees.

Building, Turf Field, Stadium and Gym Rentals

Turf Fields and Stadium Rentals

Make A Field or Stadium Reservation Online

Open Community Use portal in a new tab

Directions

Create an account using the button above (the log-in option will be located in the upper right-hand corner). You will not be able to reserve fields in the community use portal until your account is approved.
After gaining account approval, go to your account, go to the home page.
Click on the Request Facility Use tab at the top of the screen (located next to the Home tab).
Select Normal or Recurring Schedule
Enter in your event title, select your location (athletic turf & bowls) then hit the binoculars & select the turf field or stadium you want to check availability at.
Enter date & time.
Click ‘search’ at the bottom. This will search the field & time you are looking for to let you know if the field is available. The Availability section will show you if the field is available at the dates/times you entered above. If the time is unavailable, you will see a black X. If it's available, you will be able to click ‘next’ & enter in your event details/billing info etc.
Your information will be reviewed and you will be notified once your event is approved.

Helpful Tips

Tutorials are available online to view.
If the time you are trying to reserve is filled, you will see a black X blocking the time slots off.
There is a 60 day hold on reservations. You cannot book a field or building more than 60 days in advance. We have placed a block on the calendar that is lifted on the 15th of every month.
Once you submit your schedule, the Facility Scheduler will review it and approve or deny your event. Below is a help documentation and video tutorials for creating an account & submitting requests if you have difficulty.

To inquire about renting one of our artificial turf fields and/or stadiums, please email facilityuse@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call 253-571-1123.

Turf Fields

Baker Middle School
Browns Point Elementary School
First Creek Middle School
Foss High School
Giaudrone Middle School
Hilltop Heritage Middle School
Hunt Middle School
Mason Middle School
Meeker Middle School
Stewart Middle School
Truman Middle School
Wainwright Elementary School
Silas High School

Stadiums

Lincoln Bowl
Mt. Tahoma Stadium & George Nordi Field
Stadium Bowl

Other School Facilities

Tacoma Public Schools’ facilities are available for community use outside of regular school hours. To schedule the use of a facility, please contact the main office of the school you would like to reserve. You will need to submit a Facility Use Request Form and proof of liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000).

Facility Use Form

Rental and staffing fees may apply. Discounted rates are available for certified nonprofit organizations.

Reservations must be made 30-60 days in advance of your event date, and payment of rental fees is required prior to use.

Pricing and Rules

Rules of Use

User Group Categories & Priority Access

Excerpt from Policy 4260

For purposes of identifying appropriate fees to be applied and determining priority access, the following user group categories have been created and presented in order of priority access rights. Organizations in contract with the District may have alternate rental fees and/or priority access as defined in those agreements.

Group 1 - District

Official district/school departments, programs, groups, and activities
Metro Parks Tacoma based upon the Joint Facility Use Agreement

Group 2 - Nonprofit & Government

PTAs and Booster Clubs
Nonprofit organizations located within the City of Tacoma that are providing services or programming for district students or staff.
All other nonprofit organizations.
Public service/government agencies, including civic and service groups

Group 3 – General Public

All other groups and individuals (private, commercial, etc.)

When determining priority for access, groups that have their own facilities may be denied use of district facilities or may be prioritized below other requests.

Facility Use Rental Rate Tiers

For rental purposes, the following fees/costs shall apply:

Tier 5 – Standard Rates for Group 3 ($$$$)

All commercial, for-profit, and business-related events/activities
All other activities not listed below

Tier 4 – Standard Rates for Group 2: Nonprofits & Government Agencies ($$$)

Standard Rates for Group 2 events

Tier 3 – Discounted Rates for Group 2 Events ($$)

Group 2 events that meet ONE of the following criteria for discounted rate:
- Small Group Discount: Fewer than 50 individuals on site for the event.
- TPS Service Discount: Event/activity for Tacoma students or staff (75%+ of participants). PARTICIPANT ROSTER REQUIRED.

Tier 2 – Discounted Rates for Group 2 Events ($)

Group 2 events that meet BOTH of the following criteria for discounted rate:
- Small Group: Fewer than 50 individuals on site for the event.
- TPS Service: Event/activity for Tacoma students or staff (75%+ of participants). PARTICIPANT ROSTER REQUIRED.

ADMINISTRATIVE FEES

Administrative Fees	Application	All Community Rentals
Application Fee	Applies for each submitted request form.	$10.00
Cancellation/Change Fee	Applies for each instance of changes or cancellation per invoice.	$30.00

STAFFING RATES

Staffing Fees	Application	Regular Work Regular work hours with no extra work	Overtime (Non-work days & extra work)	Double Time (Sundays & Holidays)
Custodial Hourly Rate (all events, 3 hour minimum)	Required for all indoor rentals, bowl/stadium rentals, and other events as required/requested.	$0.00	$52.00	$75.00
Custodial Flat Fee 50-199 attendees (in addition to hourly rate)	Applies to indoor rentals	$100.00	$100.00	$100.00
Custodial Flat Fee 200-499 attendees (in addition to hourly rate)	Applies to indoor rentals	$200.00	$200.00	$200.00
Maintenance Hourly Rate (4 hour minimum)	Required for all bowl/stadium rentals, and other events as required/requested.	$0.00	$67.00	$90.00
Security Hourly Rate	As requested or when required by TPS.	N/A	$55.00	$75.00
Tech Manager Hourly Rate	Required for all auditorium rentals, and other events as required/requested.	$45.00	$45.00	$45.00
Nutrition Services Hourly Rate (arranged separately)	Required for kitchen use.	Contact NS

HOURLY RENTAL RATES

Elementary Facilities	Includes	Tier 5	Tier 4	Tier 3	Tier 2
Elementary Small Interior	Classrooms, Conference Rooms	$30 Rent $3 Util	$15 Rent $1.50 Util	$5 Rent	$5 Rent
Elementary Large Interior	Library, Multipurpose, Gym, Cafeteria	$60 Rent $6 Util	$25 Rent $2.50 Util	$15 Rent $1.50 Util	$5 Rent

Secondary School Facilities & Admin Sites	Includes	Tier 5	Tier 4	Tier 3	Tier 2
Secondary Small Interior	Classrooms, Small Conference Rooms	$60 Rent $6 Util	$30 Rent $3 Util	$5 Rent	$5 Rent
Secondary Large Interior	Library, Commons, Cafeteria, Gym All PDC Conference Rooms	$100 Rent $10 Util	$45 Rent $4.50 Util	$30 Rent $3 Util	$20 Rent $2 Util
Pool	Pools	$140 Rent $14 Util	$90 Rent $9 Util	$50 Rent $5 Util	$30 Rent $3 Util
Auditorium	PAC, Theater	$220 Rent $22 Util	$100 Rent $10 Util	$60 Rent $6 Util	$40 Rent $4 Util

Outdoor Areas	Includes	Tier 5	Tier 4	Tier 3	Tier 2
Outdoor General	Grass fields, Playgrounds	$45 Rent	$25 Rent	$10 Rent	$5 Rent
Outdoor Specialty	Secondary Courtyards	$60 Rent + $25/game maintenance	$40 Rent + $25/game maintenance	$30 Rent + $25/game maintenance	$20 Rent + $25/game maintenance
Turf Field	Turf Fields/Tracks	$50 Rent $5 Util	$40 Rent $4 Util	$30 Rent $3 Util	$20 Rent $2 Util
Non-stadium Turf Field Lighting	Charged as needed in 30 minute increments	$25 Util

Bowls/Stadiums	Includes	Tier 5	Tier 4	Tier 3	Tier 2
Standard Rental	Supervisor, Field, Track, Restrooms and Stands	$150 Rent $15 Util	$75 Rent $7.50 Util	$60 Rent $6 Util	$45 Rent $4.50 Util
Add Press Box & Scoreboard	Basic Rental + Press Box & Scoreboard	+$100 Rent +$10 Util	+$75 Rent +$7.50 Util	+$50 Rent +$5 Util	+$25 Rent +$2.50 Util
Add Locker Room	Basic Rental + Locker Room	+$100 Rent +$10 Util	+$75 Rent +$7.50 Util	+$50 Rent +$5 Util	+ $25 Rent +$2.50 Util
Stadium Lights	Required at dusk, charged as needed in 30 minute increments.	$50 Util

Additional fees may be required in the District’s discretion based upon the nature of the facility use including but not limited to security, parking enforcement, extra custodial obligations, staffing, or district-placed additional insurance. Non-commercial Washington State non-profit organizations with an active agreement or partnership with the district will be charged in accordance with the agreement or contract on file.

Contact

Inquiry	Contact
Athletic Turf Field & Bowl Rentals	253-571-1123
Invoicing & Payments	253-571-1200

Maintenance and Operations

The Tacoma Public Schools Maintenance and Operations team is dedicated to ensuring safe, clean, and healthy learning environments and facilities for Tacoma Public Schools students, staff, and the community. We do this through data-driven decisions, strategic use of taxpayer dollars, continuous improvement, meaningful collaboration, and showing our customers—and our kids—that we care.

At Tacoma Public Schools we have a multitude of play surfaces that *GMAX testing is conducted. Testing is not performed on natural grass or dirt surfaces.

Elementary and Pre-school

Playground equipment surfacing
Tiles or turf play sports surfacing playground
Engineered wood chips

Middle and High school

Football, soccer, lacrosse and other school sports fields such as baseball and softball.

Design Standards

The Tacoma Public Schools Planning & Construction follows a design standard for all new construction synthetic turf surfacing projects.

Synthetic turf system shall consist of grass like synthetic fibers, coated durable backing and a combination of sand and rubber infill or natural olive pit infill. Olive infill is a natural product that is ideal for its durability, optimal drainage properties and composability. Its material does not float and is temperature-regulating so cooler playing surface versus traditional turf systems. Natural olive infill does not require irrigation or annual replenishment and is supplied as a by-product from olive oil production. The entire system shall be permeable at a minimum drainage rate level of 20 inches per hour. Turf pile height should be in the range of 2.0” to 2.5” inches with infill depths ranging from 1.25” to 1.75”.
- Learn more about field turf natural olive infill product details:
System shall be designed for outdoor use and resist effects of UV degradation, heat, water, organic growth and pollution. All components shall be certified to be non-toxic. Synthetic turf system shall be constructed to resist wear and tear while providing dimensional stability under normal designated use.
Synthetic turf supplier should provide testing prior to shipment to certify the turf meets minimum material specifications.
Shock absorbing supplemental padding in the form of prefabricated panels or paved in placed elastic layer material to be provided under field areas.
The synthetic turf system is to be tested upon completion of install with GMAX testing results provided.

Routine Testing

On-site testing, by a third-party expert, is conducted every other year—above the required standard—on all synthetic turf fields.

The following routine tests are performed:

Standard test method for impact attenuation of playing surface systems and materials.
Standard GMAX specification for impact attenuation of turf systems as measured in the field.
Determination of thickness of synthetic sports surfaces in sport areas.

This testing specification is measured in height, weight, temperature and impact and provides a Head Injury Criteria (*HIC) method for determining maximum impact reduction shock absorbing properties for all types of synthetic turf playing systems and their corresponding locations for specific field layouts.

Routine Maintenance

Although a maintenance program will depend on the amount of use, level of play, kind of sports played, type and quality of construction, TPS conducts the following maintenance practices on all our synthetic turf fields on a routine basis:

At least once a year: measure field hardness periodically to ensure the level of hardness is lower than the 200 GMAX level.
Once a week or once a month depending on use: sweep and drag to keep the carpet fibers in an upright position.
Before each game: groom the fields by loosening and redistributing the infill to improve footing, reduce static electricity and improve the look of the field.
At least once a year: check and replenish the infill level especially in high use areas. The infill creates the padding and shock-absorption for the synthetic turf system and restores the field’s resiliency. It takes about 20 tons of crumb rubber to provide ¼ inch layer.
After each game: use a vacuum or leaf blower to remove debris like sunflower seeds.
After each game: clean with special solvents and cleansers for difficult to remove items.
Weekly to monthly: treat with anti-microbial products to remove bacterial growth.
Frequently: troubleshoot for common problems and minor repairs, such as seam repair.
Remove snow during winter months.

Terminology
*GMAX: maximum acceleration recorded during impact, expressed in “g” units, which is a unit of acceleration equal to standard gravity.

*HIC (Head Injury Criteria): measurement of the likelihood of a head injury upon impact. At a HIC of 1000, there is an 18% probability of a severe head injury, a 55% probability of a serious injury, and a 90% probability of a moderate head injury to the average adult.