New lasers should shine in May

The all new laser light show is still on schedule for a late May showing this year.

Bureau of Reclamation Public Affairs Officer Lynne Brougher said this week that LumaLaser, the firm designing the show, has made revisions to the story line, graphics and text, and is progressing through the project, the development of which is “well along.”

LumaLaser, a Eugene, Oregon firm, landed the $1.6 million contract and has been working with a stakeholder group here as the work on the project continues.

The project was supposed to be off and running last May, but glitches in developing the information for the story line delayed completion.

The goal of the project is to create a more comprehensive story about Grand Coulee Dam, including its influence on people, local communities and the nation’s energy needs.

The current show, which lasts 35 minutes, has been shown since 1989. It cost $791,806 to develop. The length of the new show hasn’t been pre-determined.

Stakeholders have met with LumaLaser representatives, sharing ideas and responding to the work in progress.

An inaugural showing of the new show was shared with stakeholders last summer and suggestions from the group prompted some revisions. Stakeholders include the Bureau, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the National Park Service, the chamber of commerce, representatives of irrigators and the mayors of nearby towns.

The show is one of the leading visitor activities at the dam during the traditional visitor season. The laser show starts in May and is continued nightly through September.

The contract for the project included new laser equipment, which has already been installed at the Visitor Center.