Are all your meeting or event needs being met in Anacortes?
That’s one of the questions posed in a questionnaire by supporters of a community center large enough to host conventions and large events.
The easy answer: No, as in not even close.
The crying need for such a gathering place has been evident for years (decades?), and ideas have been floated for convention-type facilities along the Fidalgo Bay shoreline and elsewhere. Plans have come, but mostly gone.
If this was easy, and if the numbers were right, private parties would have met this need long ago. But with our short visitor season and relatively small population, Anacortes has been a tough sell for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps as the island continues to grow and evolve into an even more attractive destination, a community center will pencil out for private developers. For now, there’s another effort under way exploring a public partnership that could make something happen.
The Port of Anacortes could be in the middle of things.
The marine skills center planned for a 6-acre piece of port property at Seafarers Way and Q Avenue includes plans for an assembly area for up to 150 people. An independent group of citizens hopes to obtain funds to expand the facility, which could be jointly operated by the center and the port.
The effort is in the early stages to be sure, and the questionnaire is a first step in assessing needs and giving the port a bit more to chew on.
The big question of course is money. People will surely respond that the community needs more and better options for civic events, conferences, tourist activities, weddings, reunions, church events, classes and meetings.
But who is going to pay the tab to operate — let alone build — a facility? What would the rental fees have to be to make this work? There’s no free lunch (or banquet).
Still, this option should be explored fully and the costs and benefits scrutinized. The community needs a bigger and better place to gather, and one that most importantly could draw people here and boost the local economy.
Ideas for larger event center should continue to be explored
Discuss
(0 comments) |
Email | 
Print
Jack Darnton | Anacortes AmericanJune 18, 2008 - 02:07 PM
This article has been viewed 144 times
Discuss This Story
(0 comments)
Previous Story• Gwost receives yacht club scholarship |
Next Story• High school graduates start a new chapter in life |
More Local News
Top Jobs
FLORAL ASSISTANT DELIVERY DRIVER needed, P/T. Salary DOE. Apply in person,1420 Commercial Ave., Anacortes.…
F/T Program Director needed for small residential program for Develop. Disabled adults in Mount Vernon.…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Skagit Island Orthopedic & Surgery Center A Division of Proliance Surgeons Medical Receptionist Full-time…
HEAD BAKER needed- 7 hrs/day, Central Kitchen. Burlington-Edison School Dist. For application call: 360-757-3311…
Kennel Assistant/ Ranch Hand: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
P/T Certified Medical Assistant to work 1 - 2 days per week in Bellingham and on-call for Mount Vernon…
Local Senior Living Facility is looking for a motivated person to fill an Accounts Receivable /Billing…
LPN P/T NOC shift, wknds & fill-in, for MV dementia care residence. Very competitive wages, benefits…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Shower Aide Day shift, full and part-time available. Life Care Center of Skagit Valley 1462 West SR 20,…
DRIVER Class A, 3+ yrs. exp. professionalism, integrity, good work ethic. Small, locally based company.…
Opportunity awaits 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity to sell 6 new vehicle lines plus…
P/T Security Responsible for the security of Port equip. & facilities, for assistance with outside ops…
ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER The Skagit Valley Herald has an immediate opening for a full-time Advertising…
MacGregor Publishing/ Yellowbook is seeking an APPOINTMENT SETTER for telephone directory advertising…
FULL TIME COOK four day on, four days off, pay depending on experience, EEO emp- loyer. Contact Sonda…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Quality hard working team players for: LEAD CONCRETE SUPERVISOR Must have concrete exp., read plans,…
Holistic dental practice in need of a Front Office candidate. Candidate must have 1 + years experience…
Bookkeeper Full charge, exp. with G/L, payroll, inventory, manufacturing. Email resume to: info@ padgettcpa.com…
DRIVERS APP Propane is expanding again and has openings for propane bob tail drivers. Earn up to $17.50/hr.…
Medical Receptionist for busy clinic. Computer, EMR & retail exp. pref'd. Fax cover letter/resume to…
Cascades Job Corps Center has the following openings: *Recreation Advisor *Sub Teacher *Residential Advisor…
Edge Analytical environmental testing laboratory needs someone for sample receiving/ glassware cleaning.…
Small Mount Vernon law firm seeking Legal Asst./ Paralegal position with knowledge of criminal or family…
Fast Paced Office needs hardworking, friendly, computer savvy, light bookkeeping, legal work, dependable,…
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT Seeking individual who cares about helping people, requires good communication…
Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistants for private practice. We offer excellent wages and…
Housekeeping Opportunity Life Care Center of Skagit Valley long-term health care Full-time position available.…
F/T Program Director needed for small residential program for Develop. Disabled adults in Mount Vernon.…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Skagit Island Orthopedic & Surgery Center A Division of Proliance Surgeons Medical Receptionist Full-time…
HEAD BAKER needed- 7 hrs/day, Central Kitchen. Burlington-Edison School Dist. For application call: 360-757-3311…
Kennel Assistant/ Ranch Hand: Feeding, cleaning, entertaining dogs, cats, horses & customers. 422-7644…
P/T Certified Medical Assistant to work 1 - 2 days per week in Bellingham and on-call for Mount Vernon…
Local Senior Living Facility is looking for a motivated person to fill an Accounts Receivable /Billing…
LPN P/T NOC shift, wknds & fill-in, for MV dementia care residence. Very competitive wages, benefits…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Shower Aide Day shift, full and part-time available. Life Care Center of Skagit Valley 1462 West SR 20,…
DRIVER Class A, 3+ yrs. exp. professionalism, integrity, good work ethic. Small, locally based company.…
Opportunity awaits 2 motivated enthusiastic individuals. Opportunity to sell 6 new vehicle lines plus…
P/T Security Responsible for the security of Port equip. & facilities, for assistance with outside ops…
ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGER The Skagit Valley Herald has an immediate opening for a full-time Advertising…
MacGregor Publishing/ Yellowbook is seeking an APPOINTMENT SETTER for telephone directory advertising…
FULL TIME COOK four day on, four days off, pay depending on experience, EEO emp- loyer. Contact Sonda…
Mount Vernon ATTENTION: Skagit Valley Herald newspaper carriers wanted: MOUNT VERNON The Skagit Valley…
Quality hard working team players for: LEAD CONCRETE SUPERVISOR Must have concrete exp., read plans,…
Holistic dental practice in need of a Front Office candidate. Candidate must have 1 + years experience…
Bookkeeper Full charge, exp. with G/L, payroll, inventory, manufacturing. Email resume to: info@ padgettcpa.com…
DRIVERS APP Propane is expanding again and has openings for propane bob tail drivers. Earn up to $17.50/hr.…
Medical Receptionist for busy clinic. Computer, EMR & retail exp. pref'd. Fax cover letter/resume to…
Cascades Job Corps Center has the following openings: *Recreation Advisor *Sub Teacher *Residential Advisor…
Edge Analytical environmental testing laboratory needs someone for sample receiving/ glassware cleaning.…
Small Mount Vernon law firm seeking Legal Asst./ Paralegal position with knowledge of criminal or family…
Fast Paced Office needs hardworking, friendly, computer savvy, light bookkeeping, legal work, dependable,…
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANT Seeking individual who cares about helping people, requires good communication…
Physical Therapist and Physical Therapy Assistants for private practice. We offer excellent wages and…
Housekeeping Opportunity Life Care Center of Skagit Valley long-term health care Full-time position available.…
