Greetings!
It's been a great year for Mission Ridge Ski & Snowboard Resort and looks to be a good water year for agriculture, but some are tiring of the snow and ready for spring. February brings us one step closer! Hang on, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. |
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34 Coaches Honored at 3rd Annual Coaches of Inspiration
 (Enjoying ice cream is just one of the perks at Coaches of Inspiration - photo provide by Tammy Gurnard) Over 200 people attended the 3rd Annual Coaches of Inspiration Awards Ice Cream Social at the Wenatchee Convention Center January 23rd. It was a special night, as 34 coaches were honored for their work and Megan Carlson provided the keynote address. Carlson, formerly Megan Franza, was a star basketball player for the University of Washington in the late '90's and led the Husky Women to the Elite Eight in 2000-2001. Legend Award Recipients
Lee Bofto, Paul Preston and Tom Rassley
Exceptional Coaching Award Recipients
Mike Grimm - Soccer
Bob Hill - Swimming
Greg Jones - Girls Basketball
Inspirational Coaching Award Recipients
Baseball - Dan Bass, Charlie Brown, & Nick Harris
Basketball - Ken Boyle, Todd Fabian, & Bryan Worley
Figure Skating - Louise Kapeikis
Football - Lee Gale, Tom Nees, Rod Thomas & Mickey White
Soccer - Dwayne Birmingham, Don Carroll, Carolyne Dotter, Edwin Eaton, Brett Johnson, Vicki Lenicka, Mark Osborn, Kevin Overbay, Eric Slife, Matt Tilger, Kristin Ward, Dan Waterhouse & Mary Zontek
Softball - Eric Granstrom, Ken Krous & Darold Schall
Volleyball - Vern Neel |
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Wenatchee Considers Pedestrian Bridge Future
(Wenatchee Reclamation Bridge (aka Pedestrian Bridge) - photo by Mark Peters of www.ncwpics.com)
The future of pedestrian access to the Wenatchee Reclamation Bridge is still up in the air following a public meeting in January. Allison Williams, Executive Services Director for the City of Wenatchee, says the Wenatchee Reclamation District is taking bids on a second engineering survey.
The bridge was inspected in 2007 as part of a Link Transit study to see if the bridge could be used for a bus route between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Results of the study found the 100-year old bridge structurally unsound. The city of Wenatchee entered into an agreement with the Reclamation District in 1988 to assume the liability to use the pipeline bridge for pedestrian purposes. The recent engineering study put the city at jeapardy should anything happen to people using the bridge. This could eventually punch a big hole in the Apple Capital Loop Trail, the 11-mile, paved bicycling and walking trail which uses the Reclamation Bridge as it's south-end connection between Wenatchee and East Wenatchee.
Williams says the city's Public Works Director of Engineering, Steve King, is in the process of posting the bridge to warn users until a second survey can be done. The first survey suggested not more than 20 people congregate at mid-span at any one time. Williams says, "groups wishing to use the bridge for events will need to obtain a permit from the city to do so."
Williams says she's already heard from organizers of the Eastmont Jr. High Fun Run and Wenatchee Marathon, who she said, "...have no problem working with the city on restricting numbers on the bridge at any one time during their events." The Fun Run is slated for March 22nd and Marathon for April 20th.
Williams says, "...the Reclamation District will select an engineering firm from received bids by February 7th, the city, district and other users will develop a scope of work by the first of March, hopefully come about an interlocal agreement by April and begin a detailed analysis in April."
City Engineer Steve King says Wenatchee Public Works is in the process of developing a permit and posting weight limit signs on each end of the bridge.
Williams expects sporting events that utilize the Loop Trail and bridge will not be terribly impacted by the restrictions, "...since bodies are in motion and not stopped at the middle of the bridge." She does admit it may be little more burdomesome for user-groups because they'll have to provide added insurance to use the bridge for their events. |
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AppleSox Prepare for 9th Season in Wenatchee
(photos provided by Brooks Davenport - creative by Eric Granstrom)
Ask Wenatchee AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran what he saw for his program 10-years ago, and he'd say, "...I was just worried about the bathroom's working on opening night." Now, as the team prepares for its 9th season of play in Wenatchee, Corcoran feels a great sense of accomplishment about providing good, clean, quality, family entertainment to the valley.
The AppleSox began play at Wenatchee Valley College's Paul Thomas, Sr. Baseball Field in 2000 as a member of the Pacific International League. 8-seasons, two Division Championships, three League Titles and a new league later, summer-collegiate baseball is thriving in Wenatchee.
All along, the AppleSox have continued to grow in fan base, which Corcoran says is a mixed blessing. "At our current rate, we will outgrow our current stadium this season," said Corcoran via phone interview January 30th. That is why he has submitted a request for funding from the state legislature for $3.1-million for improvements to the baseball and softball complexes at Wenatchee Valley College. He said, "...it's a sticky whicket asking for money when teams like the Sonics and Husky Football are also politicing in Olympia. No one has said 'no' yet, so we're still holding out hope."
Corcoran says they're, "standing beside the college, but not holding hands in this process...because the college has other priorities on the educational front. We don't want to jeapardize their projects." Corcoran says he feels very confident in the direction of Wenatchee Valley College and loves the hiring of Bob Rust as Athletic Director last spring. "Bob is a terrific asset to the college," Corcoran said. He added, "...I hope Bob stays for a long time. He has great enthusiasm, energy and is a good connection to the community."
Wenatchee opted out of the Pacific International League following the 2004 season to form the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League. The WCCBL is made up of 7 other teams, split into a East and West Divisions. The AppleSox share the Eastern Division with Moses Lake, Spokane, and Kelowna, B.C. The Western Division is made up of teams from Bellingham and Kitsap as well as Corvallis and Bend, Oregon. Corcoran says Moses Lake will host the mid-season All Star Game this year and the league has adopted a centralized umpiring model. He says the hope is to, "get better and more consistant officiating to all reaches of the WCCBL."
On the field, Corcoran says skipper Ed Knaggs is back for his 7th season as Manager while Lower Columbia Community College coach Rob Hippie is back as pitching coach and former AppleSox player Marshall Bratton will assist. Six players return off the 2007 squad, which finished 23-18 and second behind Moses Lake in the East Division.
Fans coming out to Paul Thomas, Sr. Baseball Stadium can expect the usual off-field fun as well in 2008. Corcoran says the between-inning promotions such as "Race the Mascot" and "Newspaper Delivery Derby" will be back. As will fireworks on July 3rd and an expanded Corvette Night. In addition, Corcoran says groups wishing to book an outing to the ballpark will have an easier time of it. "They can book through the AppleSox or the Red Lion and have dinner with their group at the ballpark prior to the game, and package it with tickets to the game." Also, Corcoran says fans can buy single-game tickets off the team's website and print them out at home for their convenience.
Opening night for the AppleSox will be June 6th against the Okanagan All Stars at 7pm. For more, go on-line to the AppleSox website. |
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If you have any questions or comments about the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council or this newsletter, please give me a call at 509-663-3723 or toll free at 1-800-572-7753. You can also email me at eric@wenatcheevalley.org. |
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Sincerely,
Eric Granstrom
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council
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Board of Directors
Pres. - Greg Jones
VP - Caryl Morrell
Erik Bakke
Bruce Bennett
Sally Brawley
Linda Haglund
BJ Kuntz
Dan Kelly
Mark Madland
Ken Osburne
Scott Paton
Trina Sanders
Bob Rust
Dan White
Director of Marketing - Eric Granstrom |
1-3 - 8th Annual Eastmont AAU Basketball Tourney
9/10 - J1-J2 Junior Olympic Qualifier at Mission Ridge, 15 and up
23 - Hog Loppet XC Ski from Mission Ridge to Blewett Pass
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Eastmont Park Survey
The Eastmont Metoropolitan Parks District is conducting a Public Opinion Survey.
Stop by their website and fill it out today! Deadline for submission is March 28th.
According to Trina Sanders, Recreation Supervisor for Eastmont Parks, "the response has been good so far." She said to expect to see word on the surveys soon in the Wenatchee World and Douglas County Empire Press. In addition, public service announcements should be on radio soon.
If you have any questions, contact the Eastmont Metropolitan Parks Department at 884-8015. |
Snowshoe Treks Available
(photo by Brian Ropp)
Saturday snowshoe adventures are available at Mission Ridge. Contact Brian Ropp for more information. The next trip is this Saturday, January 5th at 9am, 4pm and 6pm. |
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Polar Bear Plunge
The annual Special Olympics Winter Games Polar Bear Plunge is set for Saturday, February 23rd. The fundraiser for Special Olympics will be held at Walla Walla Point Park beginning with check-in at 10:30am.
The fun begins with a cheerleader tug of war at 11:15am followed by the plunge at 11:30.
There's also a costume contest for zaniest, most original, best polar bear climate and best law enforcement. There will also be prizes for youngest and oldest plungers.
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