By TARA LEMM
Staff Writer
KINGSTON — The Port of Kingston is again giving people what they want.
In 2006 Port of Kingston staff conducted a survey of Port residents and an overwhelming consensus of those surveyed was the desire to have a small boat storage space.
By the start of June a small watercraft recreational facility will be attached to Dock A.
“It’s going to be fun to have and a great addition to our facility,” said Port Commissioner Pete DeBoer.
The new facility has 24 slips for kayak, canoe or small boat (dingy) storage as well as a launch. Already 12 people are on the waiting list, anticipating the completion of the new facility, said Port construction project manage Kori Henery.
A rental fee has yet to be set. Henery estimates it will be around $25 for a monthly rental cost.
For the last three years the Port has been working on the project, which cost $150,000 and is being constructed at the Caicos boat yard in Port Gamble. It will be transported to Kingston by tug.
“It will bring recreation to the boaters and the community. It will help Kingston as a destination community and it will help by providing recreation,” Henery said. “We are really excited. There is a lack of non-motorized water recreation on this side. It will be a huge benefit to the community and boaters to have non-motorized recreation at the Port.”
While things are looking up in the recreation realm for Kingston, progress on the Fourth of July fireworks event is rather grim.
Just the fireworks show alone costs upwards of $14,000 for the barge and colorful things that go bang.
For the last four years the Port Gamble S’Klallma Tribe’s Point Casino has donated $11,500 to cover the full cost of purchasing the fireworks. However, this year the tribe isn’t able to cover the full amount, but is still donating $2,500.
More than three weeks ago DeBoer said about $6,000 had been donated, and only about $1,000 has come in since. DeBoer said if funds don’t arrive by mid-June he’ll have to cancel the contract with the fireworks vendor.
“We’re way behind,” he said. “We just need to get some participation from the community. I’ll be beating doors down and doing what I can. It’s getting tight.”
A whole slew of events are planned for the Fourth weekend including live music performances where the celebration organizers have already trimmed edges.
DeBoer said the musical offerings will run about $4,000, which is already half of what was spent in previous years, as the focus is on all local musicians.
The theme for Kingston’s 2009 Fourth of July celebration is taken from President Obama’s Inauguration speech: “Enduring Spirit.”
Donations may be made by mailing a check payable to “Kingston Fourth of July” to P.O. Box 1505 Kingston, WA 98346 or call DeBoer at 360-649-1806.
