PORT ANGELES — Motivated by mutual economic interests and the spirit of cooperation, Clallam County committed $20,000 to help keep Hurricane Ridge Road open seven days a week next winter.
The three commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday allocating half of county’s lodging tax reserve to a fundraising effort to generate $75,000 by Aug. 15 to match a $250,000 allocation from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The road is currently open in the winter — from November through March — on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and closed from Monday through Thursday except on holidays and school breaks. It is open daily throughout the spring and summer.
Commissioner Mike Chapman said anything that brings tourists to the region in the off-season “is a positive.”
“This does help expand the tourism product, if you will, the tourism amenities, during the winter,” Commissioner Steve Tharinger said.
“The fact that the whole community is getting behind and supporting that, to me, is a strong message. . . . I think it’s a good move on a number of levels,” he added.
Clallam County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee unanimously recommended the allocation on Monday.
Port Angeles City Council resolution
The Port Angeles City Council will consider a similar resolution Tuesday to commit $20,000 from its economic development fund to year-round Hurricane Ridge access.
“We’re trying to get it reopened in the wintertime the way it used to be, the way it’s supposed to be, the way the community needs it,” Port Angeles City Councilwoman Cherie Kidd told the three county commissioners on Tuesday.
“And your contribution is a huge help.”
In March, city officials lobbied in Washington, D.C, for federal dollars to keep the 17-mile road open in the winter, except on days when weather prevents it.
Kidd and the other members of the Port Angeles delegation persuaded Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, to include the money needed for year-round access in the 2011 appropriations bill.
“When we went to Washington in March, it was too late to get on any one’s budget for 2010,” Kidd explained.
Federal money
But the group successfully lobbied the Department of the Interior to commit $250,000, provided local interests can generate the $75,000 match.
The Port Angeles Forward Committee kicked off the fundraising effort in conjunction with the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce in June.
Olympic National Park would use the $325,000 to plow the road and parking lots, and to staff the visitor center and other park facilities on weekdays in the winter of 2010-2011.
“Next year, if it passes in the appropriations bill, we’re being offered a three-year trial to see if more people will come,” Kidd said.
“If the numbers are up in the park, we’re hoping this will be permanent. We need to show them that the community is really behind it.”
Fundraiser Friday
To that end, Hurricane Ridge boosters have planned a fundraising dinner and raffle on Friday at the recently opened R Bar on Front Street across from the Port Angeles Gateway Transit Center.
The fundraiser will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and will continue with live music from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The cost is $25 for the dinner and $10 for the live music and dancing.
With 18 days before the deadline and no large private commitments, Kidd was still confident that the remaining $55,000 will be raised.
She said year-round access to Hurricane Ridge would benefit the entire region.
“I have a great feeling about it,” Kidd said after the commissioners’ meeting.
“This is how were going to get our tourism back.”
Donations
Donations can be made at the UPS Store and Chase Bank in Port Angeles, and the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Donations can be made online at www.wnpf.org.
“We can do this,” Kidd said.
“It’s opening the door to getting our road open in the wintertime and keeping it open in the wintertime.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
