Newsletter 10-00 (CGWA project updates: Mosier Waterfront, West Mayer S.P., Viento S.P. and Spring Creek Fish Hatchery S.P.)
Newsletter 01-05-00 (Windance sells the Snowboard Barn, A new Casino in the Gorge?, Future of the Expo Center)

October 2000 Newsletter

Hello Windsurfers,

The fall winds are here, both easterly and westerly winds with lots of 4.0-4.7 sails being used.  The water temperature has cooled off a bit to around 62 degrees.  Full suits are the choice these days.

Mark your calendar:  Windance will be having one big Swap Meet (not 3 as in previous years) in front of Windance this year.  It will be the Victoria Day Swap Meet on Sunday, May 20th.

The Port of Hood River has a new director.  His name is David Harlan, and he will be a refreshing change from his predecessor.  I have met with him, and I am looking forward to seeing some positive changes on the waterfront.

Here are some updates regarding Columbia River access (courtesy of Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association)

"CGWA Members & Friends:

On October 11th the President signed the Interior Appropriations bill which included authorization for Mosier Waterfront improvements in the amount of $500,000.  Mosier, located five miles east of Hood River, Oregon, is in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

The City of Mosier is one of  the partners in the Columbia Gorge Recreation Coalition.  The Coalition was formed to further the mandate of the Scenic Act to protect and enhance recreational access to the Columbia River and the group includes along with the City of Mosier:  Oregon and Washington State Parks; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and the Columbia Gorge and U.S. Windsurfing Associations.

 
"This is our fourth year in the process to seek federal funding for our proposed set of improvements to four sites to provide better access to the Columbia River," said Gay Jervey who has represented the City of Mosier.  The other sites are:  Viento and West Mayer State Parks in Oregon and the Spring Creek Hatchery State Park in Washington.

In 1999, the Columbia River Gorge Vision 2000 Campaign joined in the efforts of the Recreation Coalition.  "Mosier is a unique example of a town within the Scenic Area that is working together as a community to flourish under the Scenic Act.  We joined the efforts of the Coalition to further assist them in their goals of improving recreational opportunities in the Gorge" says Tiffany Newton, Field Organizer for Friends of the Columbia River Gorge.       

The Coalition's proposal seeking $3,678,000 had been unanimously approved by the Columbia River Gorge Commission for funding under Section 16 (b) (2) of the Scenic Area Act, which authorizes $10,000,000 "for the purpose of construction of recreation facilities..."   
 

"The Coalition is very excited about this recent authorization of $500,000 for the Mosier Waterfront.  We've had great support from our communities, the Gorge Commission, the Forest Service and especially from our Governors and legislators from both Oregon and Washington who have worked together for our Gorge area.  We will continue our project until all four sites are completed," said Diane Barkhimer spokesperson for the Coalition."

 

 

Newsletter 01-05-00

Hello Windsurfers,

Well, I hope everyone had a great New Year's. It has been a long time since I sent out a newsletter, so here it is.

WINDANCE SELLS THE SNOWBOARD BARN (so we can focus more on windsurfing)

We have been really busy here at Windance. So busy, in fact, that we have decided to sell the snowboarding part of our business, so that we can concentrate on WINDSURFING. The Snowboard Barn will remain in the same location next to Windance. The new owners are Rich and Lisa Conway, and they can be reached at: (541)386-1038 or (800) 545-6851. They will be enhancing their business during the summer with sunglasses, sandals, and some other fun stuff that Windance doesn't sell.

They can also be found at the website www.snowboardbarn.com

WINDANCE IS YOUR SOURCE FOR EZZY SAILS

Ezzy Sails are becoming more and more popular throughout the U.S. For the sixth season in a row, Windance will be offering the "Trade up to Ezzy" program. Your old sail (any brand) is worth big bucks towards a new Ezzy Sail. By the way, the new 2000 Ezzys are substantially lighter than ever!

CASINO IN THE GORGE ?
The casino planned for the Gorge still looms on the horizon. Governor Kitzhaber has stood firm on his policy of not allowing casinos to be built on non-tribal land (casino land must have been in tribal possession before 1988). This means that if the Warm Springs Tribe wants to build a casino in the Gorge, it would have to be on their land which is located on the new linear park situated to the east of Hood River (on the way to the Mosier Twin Tunnels). Since being turned down by the Governor on their Cascade Locks proposal, they have gone back to the drawing board.

PORT OF HOOD RIVER NEWS

NEW PORT COMMISSIONERS: With the new make-up of the Hood River Port Commissioners, we have seen some really positive changes in Hood River!

SAILING FEES: Commissioners Nancy Moller, Peg Lalor, and Bob Nichols, voted to eliminate beach access fees at the Hook, and the Hood River Marina!

DM STEVENSON RANCH HOTEL PLANNED NEAR THE EVENT SITE CANCELED. The DM Stevenson Ranch had 3 yrs to begin construction on the project and were requesting a 4 year extension due to changes in the market place. The new commissioners felt the deal was very convoluted, confusing and there was very little benefit for the community to allow the Ranch to hold such
valuable land for another 4 years. The Port is looking to meet with recreational developers interested in taking part in developing this land with a different scope than originally looked at.

BATHROOMS PLANNED FOR THE EVENT SITE AND MARINA have received funding through the federal government and are expected to be in and operational by this summer. Should the Marina bathrooms not be completed they will ensure
port-o-lets are put in down by the river to alleviate the long walk.

FUTURE OF THE HOOD RIVER EXPO CENTER: After spending millions on rebuilding the Expo center, the "new" port is in the process of determining the best use of the building in its current stage or whether it warrants future investments toward a full conference center as originally planned. This building must work into the plans of what is built around it instead
of the past where it was the lead building. In the mean time they are looking for ideas. Some ideas on the table are a sports facility, or youth center. If you have ideas, you can send them to the commissioners. Their email addresses are below.

Nancy Moller (President) nancy_moller@class.orednet.org
Bill Lyons (Vice President) lyons@gorge.net
Don Hosford (Secretary) adeline@gorge.net
Peg Lalor (Treasurer) Pegola@gorgegames.com
Bob Nichols (Commissioner) NAnchorMan@aol.com

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR 2000

THE GORGE WINDFEST: Tentatively planned again for the Canadian "Victoria Day weekend" of May 20-22nd.

SUBARU GORGE GAMES: Check it out at www.gorgegames.com July 8-15th, NBC Television coverage, National Geographic, benefit concert for Leave No Trace. There are so many events in the Gorge Games, there is something for everyone.

SWAP MEETS: Check out the dates at http://www.windance.com/news/swapmeets.htm

Have a great Winter.

Brian