A copious amount of Saturday soccer games and a multitude of spectators have put a strain on the South Whidbey Sports Complex’s septic system.

Yet leaders of a sport club that regularly uses the fields argue that the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District isn’t being accommodating enough when it comes to restroom facilities and the number of soccer players.

The issue came to a head this week during a meeting of the district’s board of commissioners. Executive Director Brian Tomisser reported that activity associated with concurrent Saturday soccer games has set off septic alarms twice over the last month, the most recent time causing a significant mess that parks and rec staff had to clean up on their day off.

“It’s not a new policy that the fields can hold about 100 people before it becomes a problem,” Tomisser said. “That’s not because the septic is failing or any different than it’s ever been. It’s a simple capacity of the tank.”

The current tank is 750 gallons, which is less than a tank in a standard-sized home. A 1,500-gallon tank could be added for about $15,000, which would require a designer and a permit.

Earlier in the meeting, South Whidbey Youth Soccer Club Vice President Martin Coombe said he feels the club is facing more restrictions on the use of the sports complex.

“We realize you’ve given us the elementary field as another option, but we like to play at the complex because our equipment’s there,” he said, adding that it’s a hassle to move it around, especially the goals.

Makenzie Peterson, the club’s president, said there are four select teams with seasons that run into November and December.

Tomisser said it’s simply a matter of the South Whidbey Sports Complex not being designed to accommodate so many people, which becomes evident when cars start parking on the 50 mph Langley Road.

The preference, he said, is to have games on Saturdays. The problem could be alleviated if more games were scheduled for Fridays and Sundays instead. The decision was made to move the U8 teams across the street to the elementary school field, which helped. However, club representatives were not satisfied with just one port-a-potty on that field and asked for another. Tomisser declined this request and said the club could pay for it.

Facility and Grounds Supervisor Tom Fallon said this has been a three- or four-year problem. He advocated for more Friday night games, when no one else is using the facilities.

“I know it’s not convenient, you know, and that’s what it’s become, is everybody wants the convenient, perfect time slot at nine or 10 in the morning on a Saturday so they’ve got the rest of their day,” he said. “It’s not feasible. That’s not our problem.”

As Fallon pointed out, it’s more of a scheduling conflict rather than an issue with the septic system, which is functioning appropriately. The sports complex is also used by a number of others, from pickleball players to walkers to people flying their remote control airplanes. That activity, he said, is only going to increase with the addition of six new pickleball courts.

Tomisser said it’s possible that the new courts will require an addition to the septic system, but that he’ll update the commissioners next month when he knows more.