Community gets first look at remodeled Chinook gym
Published 5:00 pm Monday, October 25, 2010
- <I>NANCY?BUTTERFIELD photo</I><BR>A "harvest moon" shone from the newly refurbished Chinook School Gym stage last week and on the hordes of folks who showed up for a first look at the restoration work and a "Chinook-style" Oktoberfest dinner and auction, an annual event sponsored by Friends of Chinook School to raise funds for continuing work on the gym and, eventually, on the historic school itself.
CHINOOK – Members of the public got their first look at the “new” Chinook School Gym Saturday with about 400 people stopping by for a sumptuous Oktoberfest meal or just to wander through the refurbished historic building.
“It wasn’t quite ‘opening night’ for the gym,” Friends of Chinook School President Eileen Wirkkala said this week. “But it was a dynamite dress rehearsal and people enjoyed a night of food, fun and entertainment. We’re moving toward completion of the project, but still have a way to go. Funds raised at Oktoberfest will help keep us on schedule and FOCS and the Port of Chinook are moving forward.” The port commission and the Friends board work together to raise funds for the project.
Loma Billups, FOCS vice president, said, “The attendance and money raised exceeded our expectations. We are thrilled that so many people joined in to celebrate our first community event in the gymnasium since construction began last year.”
The Beach Buddies Band performed throughout the night as did Brittany Greenfield, accompanied by her grandmother, Inez Greenfield.
Chef Joanne Leech and her skilled kitchen staff prepared the “Chinook style” meal and local young people were servers for the evening.
Members of the Chinook Port Commission are Chairman Ken Greenfield, commissioners Les Clark, Corky Wilson and Dan Todd, port manager, and FOCS board members besides Wirkkala and Billups are Connie Kobes, Carol Johnson, Laura Osborne, Ann Saalborn, Tammy Engel, Vickie Branch and Leech.
Key members of the gym restoration are project architect David Jensen, project manager Corky Wilson and primary contractors Wilson Construction (Brad, Rex and Tim). Virginia Wilson (Mrs. Corky Wilson) was honored during the evening for her patience while her husband was away managing the project and special recognition was given to Al Peterson and his son, Rob, who, through the non-profit Seattle Journeyman and Apprenticeship Training Trust, completed all the plumbing for the gym.
And, Wirkkala said extra-special thanks and recognition were given to Bill O’Meara, a former Chinook Grade School student, for his contribution of more than 1,100 hours of labor in electrical, stage and sound work. “His contribution to his grade school alma mater was met with a resounding hand of applause,” Wirkkala said.
