Central Kitsap Reporter, April 24, 2015

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REPORTER CENTRAL KITSAP

INSIDE: THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE – A GUIDE TO MATURE LIVING

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 | Vol. 30, No. 29 | WWW.CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM | 50¢

IN THIS EDITION

Wolfe calls for action on Community Center Commissioner says center should be closed by June BY CHRIS TUCKER CTUCKER@CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM

NEWS Cole earns achievement medal

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NEWS Bremerton supports MDA

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OPINION Invest in Washington’s Ferries

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SILVERDALE – There are many questions about the future of the Silverdale Community Center. But according to Central Kitsap Commissioner Ed Wolfe, one thing is clear: The current building’s closure is “imminent.” Several groups including tax preparers, the Central Stage Theatre of Central Kitsap (CSTOCK), and Kitsap Computing Seniors, among others, have used the center as a base for their community activities. But due to a water-damaged roof, portions of the 16,000-square-foot building have been closed off since late 2014, and the remainder will likely be closed by June or August. Wolfe spoke at the Central Kitsap Community Council meeting April 16 and said the community center issue was a priority for him as commissioner. All politics is local, Wolfe said, and “there’s nothing more politically local than the community campus. It comes to me directly/indirectly every day.” “If I can provide a takeaway for you tonight … I would tell

Chris Tucker / staff photo

Community groups that have called the Silverdale Community Center their home have been trying to find new places to work from. Due to a water-damaged roof that would cost more than $700,000 to repair, the center will likely be closed this summer.

“If I can provide a takeaway for you tonight … I would tell you that closure is imminent as regards to a public safety issue,” – Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe you that closure is imminent as regards to a public safety issue,” Wolfe said. He added regular meetings at the cen-

Seabeck Highway project to begin at the end of the month SPORTS High school sports scoreboard

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Kitsap County’s Department of Public Works begins road work on Seabeck Highway, between Calamity Lane NW and NW Gross Road, in late April. The project involves widening the travel lanes on Seabeck Highway NW to 12 feet, paving roadway shoulders, and constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Seabeck Highway NW and NW Holly Road to improve safety for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Traffic studies identified the intersection of Seabeck Highway NW and NW Holly Road as a major accident location and a roundabout is an effective way to boost safety. A culvert will also be replaced with a three-sided concrete box structure to improve fish passage. One lane of traffic will be maintained in the work zone throughout the project, which is expected to be complete by November. Seton Construction is under a $1.9 million dollar contract for the work.

ter would probably end in June and that CSTOCK could probably finish its season through August.

It is estimated that it would cost more than $700,000 to repair the 1958 building – money that could be put to better use another way, Wolfe said. “Quite a few people have asked me, ‘Well, how come the county didn’t really factor in these repairs that were needed to be done so we could keep it open?’”

“I believe it was just last September when the county was talking with the Kitsap Regional Library … to potentially locate at the community center site.” It was later decided that the new Silverdale Library would not be built on the campus, but instead be built at the corner of Blaine Avenue and SEE COMMUNITY CENTER, A9

CKSD board member Mark Gaines will not seek re-election BY CHRIS TUCKER

CTUCKER@CENTRALKITSAPREPORTER.COM

Central Kitsap School District Board of Directors member Mark Gaines announced April 15 that he will not seek re-election. “After a lot of thought and consideration I have decided not to run for the school board position again in November,” Gaines told the board. “I’ve really enjoyed my five

and a half years here on the board. It’s been a great experience for me. I just wanted to share briefly how I arrived at my decision. Many of you know that our family adopted two children about six months ago and while it’s been a blessing to us it’s also brought a lot of new challenges we never expected going into the adoption. So my wife Kelly and I SEE GAINES, A9

Mark Gaines

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