Evolution of deWilde

deWilde Fields continues to grow and evolve into a fantastic home for rugby fans of all ages. Year over year the property is improved and plans to elevate the experience for all are always in motion.

Phase One:
Completed March 2021
Phase Two:
Completed July 2022
Phase Three:
Launched July 2022
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The phases

Phase One

Complete

The focus for Phase One of the deWilde Polo and Rugby Field expansion and development plan was to shift ownership and to assess the property for expansion and development opportunities and viability.

Launched January 2020 and completed March 2021
The completion of Phase One included the following:
Title Insurance
Legal acquisition of the 17.2 acre property
Whatcom County Pre-Application Meeting
Architectural Feasibility Study
Legal Expenses
Grant Research
Title Insurance
Legal acquisition of the 17.2 acre property
Whatcom County Pre-Application Meeting
Architectural Feasibility Study
Legal Expenses
Grant Research

Thank you, deWilde family, for the generous property donation in 2018

Phase Two

Complete

Phase Two of the deWilde development project surrounded opportunities to improve the property - field grading, irrigation systems, hydroseeding, signage, and other structural replacements or additions.

Launched March 2021 and completed July 2022
Phase Two revolves around improving the property and establishing proper maintenance, elevating the rugby experience for all. Items include:
Signage
Grading of Fields 1 & 2
Additional earth material (dirt, trees, gravel, etc.)
Trencher
Well Pump
Electrical & Utility Pole
Reel Mower
Hydroseeding
Scoreboards
Powder Coating Uprights
Irrigation System
Top Dressing
Kubota Tractor
Conditional Use Permit submitted
Architectural Plans for Grandstand
Cost estimates for Grandstand
Stormwater
Signage
Grading of Fields 1 & 2
Additional earth material (dirt, trees, gravel, etc.)
Trencher
Well Pump
Electrical & Utility Pole
Reel Mower
Hydroseeding
Field 1 Scoreboard
Powder Coating Uprights
Irrigation System
Top Dressing
Kubota Tractor
Conditional Use Permit submitted
Architectural Plans for Grandstand
Cost estimates for Grandstand
Stormwater
Cost
Sponsor
Fencing
$$$
Available
Gates
$$$
Available
Fencing
Cost:
$$$
Provider:
Available
Gates
Cost:
$$$
Provider:
Available

Phase Three

In Progress

Phase Three has a focus on making larger improvements to the property, setting the fields up for success for future projects and evolution of the fields and facility. These items are typically unnoticed by the general public, but make a massive difference in the quality-of-life for visitors and players alike.

Launched July 2022
$150,000
From The State of Washington’s 2023 Capital Budget Allocation
Championed by:
Alicia Rule
Washington State Rep.
Phase Three revolves around improving the property and establishing proper maintenance, elevating the rugby experience for all. Items include:
Cost
Funded/Donated
Parking
West Parking Lot
1350 Linear Feet of White Property Fencing
$12,000
Mike Girton & Ron Lee
Main Gate Materials & Construction
$5,000
Access Gates
$5,000
Asphalt Entrance Apron at the main & secondary gates
$9,000
Stormwater Bioretention Swales
$1,670
Grading parking area & main access road
$1,670
5 Dump truck loads of gravel for parking lot
$5,000
Bioretention Soil Mix
$68,000
CSBC (Crushed Surfacing Base Course)
$45,000
South Parking Lot
Stormwater Bioretention Swales
$3,330
Grading parking area & main access road
$3,330
CSBC (Crushed Surfacing Base Course)
$45,000
Bioretention Soil Mix
$68,000
Amenities
Field 2 Scoreboard
$5,000
Mike Girton & Timken
Portable bathroom trailer
$75,000
Portable shower trailer
$100,000
Four player benches for two fields
$6,000
Property
Tree removal by the barn
Volunteer Labor
Volunteers
300 gallon above ground fuel tank
Donated
Ecology Blocks for San Containment Area
$2,000
Concrete for San Containment Area
$6,000
Well Improvements
$2,000
New Pump House
$2,500
Flag Pole
$1,500
Equipment
Sprayer 3 point with 18 ft boom
$5,000
Jaynie & Brad Gablehouse + Madak
Utility Cart
$6,000
Award Construction
Fairway Groomer
$7,000 - $14,000
Straight Shaft & Hedge Trimmers
$1,000
Parking
X
West Parking Lot
X
1350 Linear Feet of White Property Fencing
Cost:
$12,000
Funded By:
Mike Girton & Ron Lee
X
Main Gate Materials & Construction
Cost:
$5,000
Funded By:
X
Access Gates
Cost:
$5,000
Funded By:
X
Asphalt Entrance Apron at the main & secondary gates
Cost:
$9,000
Funded By:
X
Stormwater Bioretention Swales
Cost:
$1,670
Funded By:
X
Grading parking area & main access road
Cost:
$1,670
Funded By:
X
5 Dump truck loads of gravel for parking lot
Cost:
$5,000
Funded By:
X
Bioretention Soil Mix
Cost:
$12,500
Funded By:
X
CSBC (Crushed Surfacing Base Course)
Cost:
$17,500
Funded By:
X
South Parking Lot
X
Stormwater Bioretention Swales
Cost:
$3,330
Funded By:
X
Grading parking area & main access road
Cost:
$3,330
Funded By:
X
CSBC (Crushed Surfacing Base Course)
Cost:
$17,500
Funded By:
X
Bioretention Soil Mix
Cost:
$12,500
Funded By:
X
Amenities
X
Portable bathroom trailer
Cost:
$15,000
Funded By:
X
Portable shower trailer
Cost:
$100,000
Funded By:
X
Four player benches for two fields
Cost:
$6,000
Funded By:
X
Field 2 Scoreboard
Cost:
$5,000
Funded By:
Mike Girton & Timken
X
Property
X
Tree removal by the barn
Cost:
Volunteer Labor
Funded By:
Volunteers
X
300 gallon above ground fuel tank
Cost:
$1,500
Funded By:
X
Ecology Blocks for San Containment Area
Cost:
$2,000
Funded By:
X
Concrete for San Containment Area
Cost:
$6,000
Funded By:
X
Well Improvements
Cost:
$2,000
Funded By:
X
New Pump House
Cost:
$2,500
Funded By:
X
Flag Pole
Cost:
$1,500
Funded By:
X
Equipment
X
Sprayer 3 point with 18 ft boom
Cost:
$5,000
Funded By:
Jaynie & Brad Gablehouse + Madak
X
Fairway Groomer
Cost:
$7,000 - $14,000
Funded By:
X
Straight Shaft & Hedge Trimmers
Cost:
$1,000
Funded By:
X
Utility Cart
Cost:
$6,000
Funded By:
Award Construction
X

The Grandstand Project

The Future

The Grandstand Project is the next big step for deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields. With your help, this dream in motion will arrive even sooner.

donate now

Timeline

deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields has decades of history, entrenched in supporting the surrounding communities, and giving the sport of rugby a proper home in the Pacific Northwest.

1973
WWU students form the Chuckanut Rugby Club
1980
First International Chuckanut Tour to Europe.
1981
4th Annual Can-Ams - First time played at the Polo Grounds.
1982
Chuckanut High School Rugby first established.
2003
Club becomes Non-profit organization. K-12 Boys and Girls teams form.
2006
Host USA National Club 7s Championships.
2007
Host USA National Club 7s Championships.
2018
Club receives gift of 17 acres from the deWilde family.
2019
Strategic planning begins for facility development project.
2020
Phase One Begins.
2021
Phase One concludes. Phase Two begins.
2022
Phase Two complete. Phase Three begins.
2023
Phase Three in progress. $150,000 grant acquired from the State of Washington.

Maintaining the Property

Maintaining large properties is no easy task. The reason why deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields always stands out from the rest is because of excellent support of our community and our grounds-keeping team.

Greg Gandy
Groundskeeper

Greg is the head groundskeeper and more for deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields. He consistently keeps the fields in competitive shape, giving athletes the very best to play on.

With thanks to those that offer additional support:

Dan Barclay

Ned Kennedy

Tom Wigg

Neil Gardner