Raider heritage statue idea approved

Alumni from Grand Coulee’s Tigers, Coulee Dam Beavers and from Nespelem’s Savages got the go-ahead from the school board recently for a space on the new school campus for a statue showing that the Raiders grew out of the three earlier schools.

Coulee Dam Beaver graduates plan a reunion Aug. 5-7 this year and will use the occasion as a fund-raiser for the statue.

The reunion is for classes from 1935 through 1974. As part of the fund-raising effort, the Beavers are selling different levels of tables for the reunion dinner. Sponsorship table levels are Platinum, $250; Gold, $100 to $250; Silver, $50 to $99; and Bronze, $20 to $49.

The Grand Coulee Tigers will hold their “all school” reunion the following week, Aug. 12 and 13.

Alumni said that their donations toward the statue will come from Alumni Association funds already collected. All of their events will be held at North Dam Park.

Lonna Bussert, who appeared before the school board when the issue came up, said alumni have already contacted local artist Keith Powell to do the statue. The cost was estimated between $12,500 and $13,000.