Positioned along the Spokane River, Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex offers thirteen top-of-the-line grass soccer fields.
In 1854, Antoine Plante established this location by opening the first river crossing here. Prior to that, he had traversed this region as a fur trapper for the Hudson Bay Company.
Soccer
Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex, nestled near the Spokane River, features 13 top-of-the-line soccer fields and hosts various community events throughout the year.
FC Spokane practices and hosts its games at the park. This spring league for boys and girls aged U9-18, as well as Lilac Cup Tournament registration, opens March 19 and runs through May, with fees covering five spring games plus jersey and practice location rental included in registration costs.
Visitors to Spokane River Park during the summer season can take advantage of its small beach and swimming hole to cool off during hot days. A nearby wood bridge leads directly into the river’s banks where visitors can wade into its waters to swim or wade out onto its banks to wade or wade out and wade for wading and wading activities; picnic shelters provide shade from the elements while remaining close enough for watching all that action unfold before them; open from dawn to dusk with limited lighting after dark – visitors are advised to bring a flashlight if possible as there will likely be little lighting in this park after dark!
Softball
Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex features a multi-sport stadium featuring five softball or “diamond” fields and 13 soccer, or “rectangular,” fields. Primarily utilized for youth and junior soccer tournaments, but also available for rent to various events, including cross-country running races, rugby matches, and lacrosse matches.
Antoine Plante Park was initially used as a ferry crossing over the Spokane River when he first moved to Spokane Valley in 1854. By taking advantage of owning prime real estate near a natural fording point on the river – something which made Antoine Plante an invaluable fur trapper for Hudson Bay Company who knew every inch of Spokane Valley well – Plante established himself as one of the city’s first residents and made himself at home quickly.
He set up his cable ferry at this spot, charging wagons and people passing across the river a fee in return for crossing. Quickly becoming established as a businessman in his community during the Westward expansion of the United States, his ferry became essential in the transportation system due to both Mullan and Colville roads passing nearby – providing steady income until 1866 when the bridge was built a few miles upstream.
Phase Two of the Redevelopment Project involves upgrades to the turf on five youth baseball and softball fields, new lighting installations, and construction of three support buildings. It has been included in the county’s 2022 Budget Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), yet neither a design team nor a general contractor have yet been chosen, according to Chase.
Cross Country
Spokane’s Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex has long been home to USATF club cross-country championships. These events, held every December and known for being some of the most challenging races across North America due to cold temperatures and tricky footing, attract some of the country’s premier runners from across both regions and nations; many runners consider participating a highlight of their athletic careers despite its challenging conditions.
This complex serves as the home to numerous amateur sporting events and tournaments, managed and maintained by Spokane Valley Junior Soccer Association; fields available for rental by other organizations are 13 soccer (rectangular) fields and five softball (diamond). Furthermore, walking trails run throughout, and it hosts several community events annually.
Named for Antoine Plante, an 1854 settler comprised of half French Canadian and half Gros Ventre Indian fur traders, who used this location as his main trading post and built a ferry crossing over Spokane River as essential to westward expansion. Plante also gained from Mullan and Colville Road construction, which passed close by his ferry crossing, benefitting further. His ferry lasted until an upstream bridge was constructed a few miles downstream in 1866.
City council members welcome the idea of building a better-equipped cross-country course; however, they have some reservations regarding its cost and whether lodging tax funds could be used for it. City Councilmember Brandi Peetz wants to make sure that residents still use this property as parkland rather than solely using it to attract elite events.
Mayor Joni Chase, who supports the proposal, says the city will work with the community to determine project funding and timelines before beginning construction in four to eight weeks after final plans are presented to the City Council for approval. Chase hopes construction may commence by fall 2022.
Track & Field
Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in Cheney, Washington, offers the ideal spot for picnicking or spending some time under the sun with family and friends. Just an easy drive from Spokane, there is much to do here, including hiking, bicycling, and fishing – not forgetting a playground as well as numerous baseball and soccer fields!
This park is named in honor of Antoine Plante, who operated a cable ferry across the Spokane River at this location from 1854 until 1866, when the first bridge across it was built nearby. A combination of French Canadian and Gros Ventre Indian heritage, Plante was an experienced fur trapper with Hudson Bay Company who had excellent knowledge of his region – his ferry service became essential in westward expansion efforts and settlement in northwest America.
Plante’s Ferry sports complex hosts the Spokane Summer Classic each year – an amateur soccer tournament featuring 13 top-of-the-line grass soccer fields from across Washington state. In addition, this park serves as a popular gathering spot for various other community events.
2022 marks a renovation for the sports complex under the county’s capital improvement plan (CIP), but details regarding its scope and costs have yet to be announced. Estimates place it below $10 million.
Apart from soccer and softball, the park also offers a golf course and recreational center, along with walking trails winding through lush lawns and its rocky beach that’s great for swimming during hot summer days.
Cross-country racing at the park’s cross-country course provides an ideal venue for running competitions. Last year, it hosted the NCAA D-II Cross Country West Regional Championship and is widely considered one of the toughest courses ever raced on by runners. Although challenging, competitors consistently rate this course among their favorites for racing success.
A convenient drive from Spokane, this sports complex is an attractive option for athletes and coaches. Home to youth baseball and softball teams as well as adult leagues, the complex also serves Eastern Washington University’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams.
