WSU, Weyerhaeuser Reach Agreement on Bonney Lake Transaction

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University and Weyerhaeuser Co. have reached an agreement in principle to allow the company to take back a 147-acre site in the city of Bonney Lake now occupied by the university. In return, the university would receive a 104-acre parcel of land located in King County, new ropes course facilities and other benefits.

“We are pleased that we have been able to negotiate this contract with Weyerhaeuser. It will be a very beneficial step in advancing the long-term interests of the university,” said Greg Royer, WSU vice president for business affairs.

Weyerhaeuser originally donated the Bonney Lake land to the university in 1941 to be used for experimental and demonstration purposes, including forestry education and 4-H club activities. Under terms of that donation, the property would revert to Weyerhaeuser if the university ceased using it for these purposes. A ropes challenge course is located on one part of the property.

Weyerhaeuser will be responsible for selling the Bonney Lake property and will pay WSU one-half of the net proceeds of any sale. The company also will build a ropes challenge course on the new property to WSU specifications and will pay WSU’s relocation costs. Using proceeds from the deal, the university also plans to build an additional ropes challenge course facility on property that WSU owns in Thurston County.

“This arrangement will allow us to improve our educational program and facilities, continue to make them accessible to the youth and communities that we serve and make the best use of our resources. We are pleased that the university has reached this agreement,” said Linda Fox, interim dean and director of WSU Extension.

If the transaction is approved by the WSU Board of Regents, WSU will continue to occupy the current site until the 4-H facilities are relocated and the property is sold by Weyerhaeuser.