Spaghetti feed is final push for project

The Rotary Club is holding its annual spaghetti feed this Friday night at North Dam Park picnic area to raise what members hope will be enough money to complete the club’s handicapped-accessible fishing pier at Steamboat Rock State Park.

The project has been on the Rotarian agenda for about 10 years. Club President Jerry Kennedy said the feed should raise enough money to complete it.

The new pier would be part of a major improvement at the state park. In the past three years the park has added two new camping section, the latest addition includes three cabins, unique to the park.

Improvements also include a paved trail that takes visitors from their camping areas to the concession area and to the fishing pier area.

The idea of a handicapped fishing pier was hatched a number of years ago by Rotarians working with state park officials. There are no handicapped-accessible fishing piers in North Central Washington.

The project is expected to cost about $45,000. Rotarians have already raised and have available about $40,000 toward the project. A good turnout, members think, will provide the final kick.

Last fall, Rotarians working with a contractor, poured the concrete foundation for the pier. The final stage will be to order the pre-manufactured pier for installation.

It is hoped that the pier could be placed so it would be ready for fishing next year.

The state park plans to stock the lagoon at times where the pier will be placed and put a net across the opening so fish won’t escape into the lake.

The spaghetti feed will be held Friday, Sept. 14, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for individuals or $25 for families. All proceeds go toward the fishing pier.

The dinner also serves as the “carbo-loading” event prior to the Grand Columbian Triathlon on Saturday.