The contentious process of hammering out a biennial state budget came to a conclusion May 25 and brought two pieces of good news for those on the Plateau.

In an item near and dear to Enumclaw sports fans, a $300,000 grant was included that will help fund Phase I of the Pete’s Pool football field replacement project.

It had been assumed the money would be made available, but nothing was certain until the two-year spending plan was adopted.

Jeff Coats, a key player in the stadium project, said a groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively set for June 29 and work will begin July 1. The current field will be replaced by an artificial surface in time for the fall sports season, Coats said.

A second local highlight in the budget was protection of Rainier School in Buckley, a state facility for those with developmental disabilities.

Rainier School is often targeted for closure by forces who believe large institutions should be closed.

The important step taken this year, according to state Rep. Christopher Hurst, is that Rainier School is now protected by statute, considered an integral part of the state’s duty to serve its special needs population.

This, he said, should end the ongoing battle over the school’s future.