Trustees for Walla Walla Community College heard a presentation for a preliminary proposal on renovations to the Dietrich Dome on its Walla Walla campus, which is projected to cost roughly $4 million in total, during a board meeting May 27.
The building, which was constructed in 1977, has its original floors, which have developed “dead spots” with little or no rebound and can create safety concerns for athletes and officials, said Rebecca Thorpe, director of marketing and communications.
Its bleachers are also out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and several athletic systems and equipment require replacement or repair.
Some Clarkston campus employees have expressed frustration that the dome improvements would be considered when their campus is slated to close in two years.
However, Thorpe said, those monies come from different funding streams.
“The budget reductions and staffing decisions that have been discussed publicly are tied primarily to ongoing operating expenses, which are funded through state allocations, tuition revenue, grants, and other operational funding sources,” Thorpe wrote in an email. “Capital projects, when they occur, are often funded through separate sources that cannot be used to address operating budget shortfalls.”
Thorpe also noted that the discussion should not be interpreted as an approved project or commitment to spend $4 million.
“Any future renovation project would require additional planning, board review, and identification of an appropriate funding source before moving forward,” she said.
Chris Loseth, president and CEO of P1FCU, said in an email to the Tribune that he was approached by the president of WWCC and the executive director of the WWCC Foundation about “an athletic facilities proposal and scholarship program proposal in September of 2023.”
Loseth said P1FCU offered “a naming rights package that mirrored the details of other agreements with institutions of higher learning, hospitals, and high schools.”
But the deal hasn’t yet come together. The credit union and college last met on the matter in November 2025, Loseth said, but WWCC hasn’t followed up since then.
Thorpe said the college was grateful for P1FCU’s interest in providing support, but that they were unable to reach an agreement that aligned with rules WWCC is required to meet.
“Certain aspects of the proposal did not align with Washington State procurement requirements and regulations that govern public institutions,” Thorpe wrote. “As a public community college, we are required to follow those standards in all agreements and partnerships.”
April vote and leadership emails
Recently, an email distributed among some Clarkston WWCC staff appeared to indicate prior knowledge by executive leadership staff of the board of trustees of a plan to close the Clarkston campus in 2028 before a vote was taken.
However, Thorpe said, the document in question, sent on April 8, was just one of three sent to managers with talking points based on different potential results of the vote.
“Executive Leadership Team members were instructed to share the appropriate version with their management teams only after a decision had been made,” Thorpe wrote. “The purpose was to ensure that employees who might receive questions from staff, students, community members, or other stakeholders had accurate, factual, and consistent information. Preparing communications materials in advance of significant decisions is a common practice for public organizations.”
On April 9, the board voted 3-2 to close the Clarkston campus with a two-year teach-out if it did not garner new, significant and sustainable funding.
Search for community partners
Since that vote, college leaders have met with healthcare organizations throughout the region to explore partnership opportunities.
Thorpe said while no formal agreements have been finalized, the discussions with potential partners have been encouraging.
“We are grateful for their willingness to work alongside the college as we explore potential solutions,” Thorpe wrote.
More broadly, she said, the college is continuing to engage community leaders, employers, legislators and healthcare providers over the summer to inform future planning for Clarkston services.
