travel – All Things Lake Chelan

THE BRIDGE… ONE WAY-TWO WAY???

by Richard Uhlhorn

Woodin Avenue Bridge project:
The Woodin Avenue Bridge issue was the top topic at the City of Chelan’s workshop on Tuesday, October 7. The workshop’s agenda was to receive a Transpo Group Inc. Traffic Study report followed by consultant KPFF, Inc. Woodin Avenue Bridge widening cost estimate findings.

72% of the community residents would like to see the Woodin Avenue Bridge returned to two-way traffic. The cost of doing so, might be out of reach. However, turning the traffic around to allow vehicles to leave town might help relieve some pressure on Johnson Avenue and Sanders Street.

City Engineer Travis Denham told the council that additional information on the bridge would be shared. Denham added that additional information on the Woodin Ave. Bridge would be shared to help traffic downtown. “It’s a great opportunity if you feel comfortable to move forward.”

Transpo group’s representative said he would talk through the traffic analysis the did on the bridge. The group looked at turning the bridge back to two-way and other potential alternatives. “We wouldn’t expect very much (traffic) change,” he said

Transpo collected data from other sources including the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council.

During months outside of the busy summer months, Transpo stated that traffic on the bridge is half of what it is during the busiest summer months with Fridays being typically the highest usage.

Bob Goedde remared that most people coming from Manson would take the bridge if it was available to them.

**Councilman Bob Goedde has been** **aggressive proponent for turning the bridge back to two-way traffic.**

“This town does not want a one way bridge,” Goedde said.

“That group would have less delay,” said Denham. Mayor Erin McCardle added that with input from the community, the city is trying to give the council all the information to make a decision.

Transpo said that no special analysis has been done on cost estimates to change the bridge back to a two-way configuration.

Councilman Tim Hollingsworth noted pedestrian safety is a concern. In particular he was noting that trucks also use the bridge. “I know they are not supposed to.” Goedde has also noted that in all the time the bridge has been in use, there has never been a pedestrian accident. Hollingsworth stated that changing the bridge to an out of town configuration would benefit the Manson driving community.

The Woodin Avenue Bridge is an iconic bridge that should remain as it is. Transpo Group also studied the possibility of a new foot bridge across the river on the east side which would cost an estimated $12 million to build.

“A lot of big vehicles come across that bridge. We have a lot of projects that will have an impact on it,” said Hollingsworth. Goedde suggested putting a rail on the roadside across the bridge so no pedestrian can enter the road way.

On a typical summer day, the Woodin Avenue Bridge has 4,000 vehicles while the Dan Gordon Bridge is used by 10,400 vehicles.

McCardle also stated that the bridge issue also has to be compared with other projects which led to Denham sharing the updated Six-Year Transportation Plan.

**The City’s six-year transportation plan has $27 million dollars to be spent if all projects could be accomplished. It is updated, by law, every year with new projects added and old projects deleted.**

McCardle stated that the city has some time to think about the bridge while also thinking about other projects that are just as important.

City Budget Overview:
Communications Director Chad Coltman went over the upcoming budget hearings and said, “We have put a new set of eyes on the process,” Coltman stated. “We have more funds and everyone of those funds has a budget.” He continued by stating that the overall goal is to have a balanced budget. McCardle added that each department in the city has to pull together their budget. “There is a lot of work to bring this budget into line.

Busy week ahead

by Richard Uhlhorn

Tuesday – 6.18.24
The visiting Paraglider pilots competing in the OZONE Chelan Open through Friday will continue to fly a variety of aerial tasks starting from the top of Chelan Butte. Look to the sky between noon and 1 p.m. to see the gaggle form above the Butte before the start of each day’s task set forth by the organizer.

At 6 p.m. there will be a major meeting of organizations and agencies at Manson’s Grange Hall. This community forum will include representatives from the Manson Community Council, Manson Parks, Manson Chamber of Commerce and Chelan County Fire District No. 5. The hope is that the community will be able to come together and have more of a say in what happens. Councilmember and Fire Commissioner Chris Willoughby (candidate for Chelan County Commissioner Position 3) will moderate.

A public meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday June 18 at the North Cascades National Park Golden West Visitor Center near Stehekin to discuss and update the community on the Pioneer Fire burning south of the community.

A great place to grab a beer and food.

**Paddle boards are available from Lakerider Sports in Don Morse Park**

Wednesday – 6.19.24
A major meeting concerning the disturbing increase and, in some cases, cancellation of homeowners insurance will take place at the Chelan Fire Hall beginning at 3 p.m. This meeting brings State Representatives Michael Steele and Keith Goehner to discuss how the State Legislature can bring change to the way the insurers decide on massive rate increases and/or cancellations.

Thursday – 6.20.24
It is Ladies Night at Lakeside Surf. Lakeside Surf General Information. Spectators are always free. It is a great spot to get an early morning coffee from the Vine Coffee Kiosk and watch the dawn patrol surf the largest standing wave in the United States. Lunch is available at the Taco Truck and Two-Can Jenny’s offers soft drinks and beer. No Cash accepted…only Cards.

Friday – 6.21.24
The annual Lake Chelan Art Show begins in Riverwalk Park and will continue through Sunday, June 23.
The OZONE Chelan Open Paragliding Competition ends.

Saturday – 6.22.24
The U.S. Open of Paragliding begins with a practice day on Saturday with the professional competition beginning on Sunday, June 23 through Friday, June 28. This year’s annual competition has 128 pilots confirmed from 24 different countries. US Open of Paragliding – 2024 (airtribune.com)

**Cycle Chelan begins at 8 a.m. from Don Morse Park as bicyclist ride out to their chosen ride.**

The annual Rotary event, Cycle Chelan begins at 8 a.m. as hundreds of cyclists hit the roads in and around Chelan, Manson and the South Shore. Be aware and careful while driving.

Other fun stuff:
Just visiting Chelan for some well earned vacation time. Check out these amenities that make memories while you visit:

Lakerider Sports – Paddleboard and kayak rentals. Rent Kayaks and Paddleboards – LakeRider Sports Chelan
Shoreline Watercraft & Boat Rentals in Chelan, Manson and Wapato Point. www.shorelinewatercraft.com
Chelan Mini Golf and Rally Alley at Don Morse Park
Lake Chelan Golf Course
Echo Ridge Trail System – great family hike and bike friendly trails
Visit a winery. My favorites – Vin du Lac Winery; Hard Row to Hoe; Karma; Benson; and Lake Chelan Winery, all of which are AVA estate wineries.
There are plenty of restaurants to tickle your taste buds.

LAKESIDE SURF TO HOST FIRST EVER OPEN COMPETITION IN JUNE

Battle of the Butte

by Richard Uhlhorn

Lakeside Surf is hoping to become a Global River Surfing headquarters by adding a major new surfing event to augment its Fall Continental Surf Cup that pits the best European river surfers against the best river surfers the United States can challenge them with.

The Battle of the Butte will take place on June 28 and 29 and has been designed to challenge any surfer with the competitive spirit.

**Competition between Europe and the U.S. was fierce at last year’s Continental Surf Cup.**

There will be four different divisions with categories for both male and female surfers. Surfers in the Open Division can compete against their peers for that special place on the podium with the biggest prize being awarded an invitation to Team USA for the 2024 Continental Surf Cup.

“Our main goal is to promote the sport of river surfing while offering an exciting competition for both surfers and spectators alike,” said Manager Jared Eygabroad. “This event was created to generate some fun competition between surfers of all ages and skill levels.”

The two-day event will begin on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for the Best Trick Trophy and the Super Groms (10 to 13 year olds) battle for a podium finish.

**Performing tricks on the way can be tricky.**

Saturday’s competition will feature the Groms (14 to 17), Prime (18 to 44), Masters (45+), followed by the Open division who will try to advance to the evening finals and potentially a spot on the podium.

The event will challenge the surfers skill levels and give them a chance to experience the thrill of competition. This event is less a winner take all and more of everyone wins while having fun on the water.

Spots for each division is limited, so surfers interested in competing should jump onto the $50 registration which will guarantee each participant a shared 90-minute warm-up session and at least one competitive heat and an event T-shirt.

Surfers can only only sign up for one age division, but can add to the fun by also registering for the $30 Best Trick competition. They will be guaranteed a shared 60 minute warm-up and at least one competitive heat.

For more details and information (including judging & scoring criteria) please visit: lakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-butte lakesidesurf.com/battle-of-the-butte

**Last year’s Continental Surf Competition drew may hundreds of spectators to watch river surfers compete for the glory of winning. Lakeside Surf is always free to spectators.**

Spectators are always free at Lakeside Surf from the upper Slidewater parking lot where they can enjoy the competition, breathtaking views, some of the best fish tacos in Chelan and Two Can Jenny’s Surf Bar.

**Lakeside Surf offers spectators spectacular view of Lake Chelan especially when the sun dips below the horizon.**

**The sunsets from Lakeside Surf are stunning.**

Media and sponsorship opportunities for the Battle of the Butte are still being secured. Interested parties should reach out to tournament host Lakeside Surf at sierra@lakesidesurf.com.

For more information about the Battle of the Butte, Lakeside Surf, the Continental Surf Cup or sponsorship opportunities, please email jared@lakesidesurf.com

Chamber director presented 2023 statistics to Chelan Workshop

by Richard Uhlhorn

Mike Steele, executive director of the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce, presented an overview of the Chamber’s business to the City Council and Chelan staff at the City’s workshop on Tuesday, April 2.

**Mike Steele, Chamber director, presented the Chelan councilmembers and staff statistics from 2023.**

Steele told the workshop that the Chamber operates as a non-profit organization 501(c)3. He described how the Chamber utilizes lodging taxes (3% lodging tax for every head that hits a bed in Chelan) With a 1,000 hotel rooms in the Valley (not including STRS which also pay the 3% lodging tax) and the funding he receives from Chelan County’s 3% tax), Steele said, “This funding is designed to attract tourists.”

Currently, the Chamber is working for the second year in a row without a contract with the City. The City Council, which had one year to create a new contract with new criteria, authorized $700,000 for the Chamber to use this year. Another $±400,000 comes from the County’s 3% fund.

“Our visitor profile is pretty robust,” said Steele. “We see 8,000 to 9,000 people per day.”

His presentation entitled the Economic & Visitor Profile for 2024 included all the statistics for 2023 as follows:

The Chamber serves over 400 members
5.3 million visitors to the Valley in 2023
4.1 million visitors came to the City
1.3 million visitors visited Manson
The City’s service and accommodation workforce is 26% of the population. (Many travel from other communities to work in Chelan.)
There are 1,075 hotel rooms in the Valley. STRs are not included in this number,
$2.1 million dollars is generated from lodging taxes inside the City Limits.

The Chamber generated 15,302,710 reach on all of its platforms and website as follows:
     1. – Facebook, 42,000 followers
     2 – Instagram, 15,600
     3 – TikTok, 709
     4 – X (the old Twitter, 4,000
     5 – Subscribers, 45,907
     6 – Website generated 144,501 page views in 2023.

The Chamber spent $400,000 on marketing efforts last year and another $150,000 on staff.

July and August are the two highest visitor months in the Valley.

The Chamber distributes thousands of visitor guides, local maps and business brochures and manages local ticket sales for local non-profit fundraisers and events.

The Chamber distributes opt-in visitor guides across the United States and Canada. It assists with school projects and internships. Hosts community and non-profit events. Offers free conference room space for its members.

For more information on the Lake Chelan Valley visit the Chamber website at Lakechelan.com.