East Chelan Reservoir, North Shore Pathway gather support

CHELAN – A trio of proposed projects on the city’s wish list – the East Chelan Reservoir, North Shore Pathway, and Chelan Gorge Park ballfield - took a step closer to reality following a recent trip to Washington, D.C. by Mayor Erin McCardle and City Administrator Wade Farris.

Reporting to the regular bi-monthly meeting of the city council on March 12, McCardle returned with good news on all fronts from visits to Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representative Kim Schrier.

“The East Chelan Reservoir project was by far fully supported and the need was very clear to all the offices,” said McCardle. “The Chelan Corridor project, aka the Northshore Pathway project…really got every single office excited about the potential for having a community-connecting trail around Lake Chelan.”

The proposed 330,000-gallon East Chelan Reservoir and booster pump station includes four water main extensions from the reservoir to the surrounding neighborhoods to meet the demands of private development and provide redundancy during water emergency shortages.

The Northshore Pathway will connect Chelan to Manson by a trail along Highway 150.

Last week the city hosted Sen. Murray’s regional director for a “windshield tour” of areas affected by the 2015 wildfire, the site for the reservoir, the spots on the Northshore corridor trail.

This week the city introduces Rep. Schrier’s regional director to the same briefing. Schrier’s office has already promoting a $9 million request for the reservoir project.

McCardle said the city will submit the projects through the federal earmark process. 

“It is not a quick process but is another avenue for potential funding,” McCardle said.

McCardle credited city staff for the positive feedback she received from Congressional staffers reviewing Chelan’s one-page proposals.

“They were commented on by every single office that we went to on how appropriate, direct, hit all the points, and were exactly what they were looking for.”

Farris seconded the mayor’s compliment.

“One of the comments we had from staffers was ‘This is the best effort we have ever seen from a first-time visit,’” they told Farris.

“They’ve seen this a lot from professionals,” added Farris, “but never one as polished and professional” as a first attempt.

“We are like farmers planting seeds,” said Farris. “This is going to be a long-term growth, like planting an apple tree, and hopefully it will bear fruit.”

Chelan Gorge Park field

Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Paul Horne reported that the city is pursuing a no-match grant to renovate, refurbish, and regrade the first field at Chelan Gorge Park. New fencing, new irrigation, new dugouts to get the field in playable condition.

“The grant app will require zero match,” said Horne, “I think it is a pretty good package coming together.”

McCardle added that this the first year this grant will be available and will provide $1.2 million for all projects in our region. Chelan stands a “competitive chance” to get some of that money.

“While it would be great to renovate all the fields there, we have to be realistic,” said McCardle. “So, we’re shooting for one.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County has been meeting with the Chelan Community Center to explore potential opportunities there. 

“As a coincidence those folks sit on the Cal Ripkin Sr. Foundation board,” said McCardle. “When we brought (the Gorge Park field) up to them, they were very excited. These are exactly the kinds of projects they like to support.”

McCardle said discussions will continue with the foundation toward possible support for the other fields at Chelan Gorge Park.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media