Officials inspect GR Valley Center, identify needs

There's a lot of work to do.

Wahkiakum County officials and members of the Johnson Park Board of Directors toured the Grays River Valley Center in Rosburg on Tuesday to see the condition and needs of the facility and to get a start on rebuilding the center's board of directors, which now has only three members.

The center is housed in the old Rosburg School. The county acquired the grounds and building when the Naselle/Grays River Valley School District declared them surplus to its needs. Volunteers support a variety of activities ranging from a library and computer center to a sewing room and a food bank. The building also has a weight room and gymnasium. The county covers heating expense and maintenance.

In recent weeks, the board's president, vice-president and treasurer have resigned for personal reasons, leaving the board shorthanded.

Commissioners held a community meeting in the center on March 22 to discuss the situation with the community and begin soliciting new board members.

Board members Shondra Ware, Dee Nikkila and Toni Fest and board applicant Carrie Sweeten talked of turning an unused room into a youth center and relocating the weight room. They spoke of problems with the computer equipment; they talked about refurbishing the stage and locker rooms and they talked about disposing of unused or unnecessary items stored in the facility.

"We need to look at all that," said Commissioner Blair Brady.

County Treasurer Tammy Peterson said the board needs to determine what is junk, what is surplus and what is useful for center operation. She and her staff can sell surplus materials, and the proceeds would go back to the center, she said.

For example, "people will buy PE baskets and lockers," she said.

Also, Peterson and Auditor Diane Tischer added they would train board members in the steps for handling money and paying bills.

"The main thing is getting people on the board and not burning people out," Brady said.

The commission has three applicants for four vacant board positions, and so they're looking for more applicants to contact their office.

Sweeten added that she is assembling a list of volunteers and she would like to hear from more people.

Commissioners were pleased with their March 22 meeting at the center, and Commissioner Dan Cothren suggested the board try to meet in Rosburg every three months. By doing that, they can stay focused on the center, and Westend residents can bring other issues to them.

Brady and Commissioner Mike Backman also spoke of the idea of using an Americorps volunteer to help manage the center and the Wahkiakum Community Center in Cathlamet. The volunteer would work for the board and assist them in their programs.