NCW Sports Rink and Event Center makes case to Pateros school board

PATEROS – The February 27 meeting of the Pateros School Board featured public comment from citizens with respect to the school’s near-eight-acre parcel of vacant Field of Dreams property along the Columbia River. City councilman George Brady urged the board to either sell or trade the parcel to raise needed capital. Brady’s sentiments were supported by Deputy City Clerk Cecilia Williams.

On the other side, supporters of the non-profit NCW Sports Rink and Event Center propose partnering with the school district to install a 6,000 sq. ft. facility comprised of an NHL size outdoor refrigerated hockey rink complex with spectator seating and rooms for changing, showers, lockers, and related uses. The complex would mirror the Winthrop rink. During the warm months the facility could be used for roller skating, basketball, roller hockey, pickle ball, and other events.

Rink board member Rick Trocano, a former pro football quarterback and retired businessman, addressed the board on behalf of the rink supporters.

In a recent development the Sports Rink group has received a $50,000 grant from USDA Rural Development to complete a feasibility study for the project. They have selected the Portland, Oregon-based consulting firm ECONorthwest to do the study.

The projected budget to complete the NCW Sports Rink and Event Center is $3.7-$ million.

In other board business:

• Interim superintendent Mike Parker reported that the school’s mezzanine addition is progressing on budget with a completion date of mid-to-late March to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

• Parker advised that a reduction in force (RIF) of certified staff will likely occur this spring if declining enrollment and low fund balance figures do not improve.

• Unanimous approval to co-op with Brewster school girls’ tennis program.

• Unanimous approval of the spring sports coaching staff.

• Unanimous approval to post information for a combined superintendent/principal position for school year 2023-24.

• Pateros AAU third and fourth grade boys basketball team qualified for the state tournament,

• Senior Kassidy Wilfong was elected as District 7 FFA Vice president.

• The high school Knowledge Bowl team qualified for the state tournament on March 11.