Port 2 prepares for summer

Wahkiakum County Port 2 meeting was backed by a rhythm section on Tuesday, with the staccato of hammers meeting the roof, which is being replaced.

The main hall of the annex was recently carpeted, and everyone seemed pleased with the results.

“The carpet really looks nice,” Commissioner Brian O’Connor said. “It looks really beautiful.”

Port 2 Assistant Manager Terina Davis said that they were able to salvage the top part of the steeple, and there were plans to clean it, paint it, and build a platform to display it along with a commemorative plaque.

Commissioner Allen Bennett remarked on an increased interest in pickleball, and suggested that one or both of the tennis courts at Vista Park be turned into a pickleball court. He also thought the port should consider purchasing paddles and balls for visitor or community use.

Davis agreed, and said staff would figure out the dimensions and set up the courts so one was for tennis and the other was for pickleball. She said she would also investigate the prices of nets and equipment for discussion at the following meeting.

O’Connor suggested doing something similar at Svenson Park on Puget Island, but Bennett expressed concerns about installing pickleball courts near homes.

“The people that live next to it start to complain,” Bennett said. “I want to be respectful of people on the island.”

Davis said they’ve been busy mowing and weed eating, and getting ready for Memorial Day and the busy season. She said that Vista Park was full for Mother’s Day and that they already had three rentals on their new cabin. Reservations for the space were filling up the weekends through the summer, and they were getting positive feedback.

O’Connor and the other commissioners expressed their appreciation for Brianna Parmeter, a port employee, who is focused on improvements at Svenson Park.

Davis gave an update on some of the improvements to the landscaping there, and there was some discussion about the broken water system.

Because the port is working at more than one site, Davis also mentioned that she would be looking for a utility trailer to make it easier to move their equipment.