Bellingham Kiteboarding Community Center Update -- Almost!!

[BellinghamKite]

Thanks to all of you you have helped out with the Bellingham Kiteboarding Community Center.

Our first phase is nearing completion... and we are just starting to hand out keys to community members.

We have the land cleared... a parking area... heat installed... walls painted.. a TV and sound system... FREE WIFI.... and a sleeping loft in place!

How could I forget... The KEGGERATOR where a frosty cold one is waiting for your post session story time.

We have hosted a couple of BBQ's and a bonfire.... and want to make the center open to any kiteboarder who wanders up our way as a place to crash or get out of the weather -- (Parents... we can even put Barny in on the DVD to occupy the kids while you go out and ride!..)

We are still working on things... and our plans include

A Composting Toilet --- Environmental... not stinky... and will make the flowers even brighter!

A covered and secure gear drying area....dry those kites out...

An expanded parking area --- Big enough to accomodate over 30 cars.

A couple camp sites... --- bring your tent and spend the night to catch the morning thermals

Grassy lawn ---- For hanging out and running lines and such...

An elevated Deck (Built over the storage area) where you can watch the bay and kiters as you sip your cold beer)



Anyhow... those are the plans... and several people have asked... "How is this getting paid for?"

Essentially the answer is.... every dollar we earn, that doesn't go towards business expenses.. (like paying Andrew)... goes towards this center.

Our biggest goal is at the end of this month...

We have dumped nearly $10,000 into the center so far getting it all put together... and at the end of May we are closing.. and our down payment of $22,500 is due.

That's a chunk of change... and we have basically halted any of the other things (like even planting grass) to make sure we can afford to get this payment in.

Several people have asked how they can contribute....

Well.. I don't have an easy answer to that... but I have some ideas.

---- We were thinking of putting on a BKB Community Center Benefit BBQ/Dinner... where donations could be collected to go towards the center. (would anyone come? if so.. how many?)

---- We were also thinking of having a silent auction where we... or others.. could put un-needed gear into a donation pool... and we could let the highest silent bid go towards the center... (would anyone bid? or donate?... I know we will)

---- Look in the commercial section for some sales we will be having. Every little bit helps. ( We are clearing out somethings to maximize our available funds)

I am confident we'll be able to pull this off... and I think when it is all done.. we are going to have an epic place where kiteboarders and families can find solace.

It has been a big undertaking and we are almost there.

Please let me know what you think about the fund raiser ideas... and if anyone would be interested in helping out with them.

Thanks..

Andy and Marlys (and Evan and Olivia)






Thanks craig for the pics!

[jane]

Several people have asked how they can contribute....

Well.. I don't have an easy answer to that... but I have some ideas.

---- We were thinking of putting on a BKB Community Center Benefit BBQ/Dinner... where donations could be collected to go towards the center. (would anyone come? if so.. how many?)

---- We were also thinking of having a silent auction where we... or others.. could put un-needed gear into a donation pool... and we could let the highest silent bid go towards the center... (would anyone bid? or donate?... I know we will)

Heya Andy, depending on the date I would love to come out there for a fund rasing barbeque and I am sure there are many others who would too.

I will definitely give some thought to other fund raising ideas and let you know if I come up with anything worthwhile...

[rodeo clown]

U guys are amazing up there!
The transformation from parking in a sloppy ditch to using the "Locust Hive" is dramatic to say the least.
I can't think of any other launch on the west coast that has everything this sailing club has,
and indeed the loft is sweet.
You'll dream of kiting.
I dreamed I was sailing in a bath water warm lake washington, cruising alongside the 520 bridge at twilight in 90 degree temps in red pajama's.
When I woke up, my blindness was cured and I could walk again!

[Kirsten Schultz]

I have an idea. Very short notice. Since it appears that this weekend's weather down here isn't fantastic and the Gorge forecast isn't fantastic, I would be more than happy to host a party at my house on Saturday night as a fund raiser ... I'm thinking someone (hint hint) can bring a keg, several of us can make some big easy dishes, like pasta and although my grill is fairly lame, we can grill. (besides the fact that most people have crazy sweet portable grills). My back yard can accomodate a large handful and I've had at least thirty in my house in the past especially if people are coming and going (although it is quite small). I would say, if I can get some support, we would each ontribute a sum certain for attending or what you can afford with a hat pass. HAT PASS, great idea. Let's see what happens? It's ALMOST cinco de mayo?

[BellinghamKite]

We'll... we are planning on being in Seattle on Saturday ANYWAY... so for us.. that'd be awesome if people are willing to come.

We have half a keg of BB Scotch Ale left... (half a keg of Scotch Ale is = to a full keg anywhere else!)

Very generous offer and if you think we can pull it off, we are all game!

We'll do a BBQ later on this month too... so why the heck not!!!!??!

I have an idea. Very short notice. Since it appears that this weekend's weather down here isn't fantastic and the Gorge forecast isn't fantastic, I would be more than happy to host a party at my house on Saturday night as a fund raiser ... I'm thinking someone (hint hint) can bring a keg, several of us can make some big easy dishes, like pasta and although my grill is fairly lame, we can grill. (besides the fact that most people have crazy sweet portable grills). My back yard can accomodate a large handful and I've had at least thirty in my house in the past especially if people are coming and going (although it is quite small). I would say, if I can get some support, we would each ontribute a sum certain for attending or what you can afford with a hat pass. HAT PASS, great idea. Let's see what happens? It's ALMOST cinco de mayo?

[nwsurfwakeskate]

I like the silent auction idea.

I have some gear I could probably donate too.

a couple other ideas could be the stereo-typical fundraiser methods.

Car-Wash

Krispy Kreme donuts. (we used to make bank selling these in the ferry lines for younglife)

Raffle

the nice thing about those types of fundraisers is that they can reach beyond the kiting community for money and potentially bring more people in generating more sales in the long run.