State park set for more updates

A major project at a local state park is on hold while a less extensive upgrade will move forward.

A project to replace three of Steamboat Rock State Park’s five wet/dry pit sewer stations will begin late in November and continue through the winter, park spokesman Tony Ratoco said last week.

An East Wenatchee firm, KRCI, successfully bid the $675,300 project.

Three of the old pit stations date from 1973-74, when the park first opened. Two other pit stations are newer and are not included in the upcoming project.

The project will not interfere with normal operations in the spring, Ratoco stated.

A second project to create 30 new campsites was started earlier this fall, and will not continue until spring, due to cultural issues.

Earlier it was estimated to be completed by the spring and possibly open for occupancy in July.

“That probably will mean that the new units will not be ready for occupancy until 2018,” Ratoco stated.

Work on that $2.5 million project started in September with Copenhaver Construction, out of Creston, clearing brush and grading on a subcontract.

That overall project was bid by Wesslen Construction of Spokane.

When that project is finished Steamboat Rock State Park will have 193 units in the main campground area, 12 more accessible by boat, and another 44 spots at an off-site location.