A top view of the back room of the Tonasket Community Cultural Center, which has been under construction since the end of May to improve the heating and cooling system, replace the walls, windows and floors and to build a new stage.CCC mid-way through con

TONASKET – Construction on the Community Cultural Center began at the end of May and the building is mid-way through the project.

Executive Director of the CCC River Jones said W. Fritz Ridenour Construction is doing the work on the center based on designs by Cascade Designs. The project is to build a new stage in the back room, put in new walls and new windows and install a new heating and cooling system.

“Once the new HVAC system is installed, it’ll be warm in the winter and cool and in the summer,” Jones said.

Also to be done in the back room is lay down a new dance floor as well, but the cushioned, folding chairs which have been used in the room will continue to be used.

“We’re trying to keep the multipurpose effect of the center,” Jones said. “We want to be as multipurpose as possible. We don’t want to be limited by anything.”

The construction crew, managed by Reed Engle with Zeke as the foreman, is also building a new sound system area in the back corner of the room.

“We’ll have to apply for more grants for the actual sound system, though,” Jones said.

The work has gone past the back room and into the three office space rooms upstairs. Jones said once these rooms are finished, they will be rented out with the rate including all utilities. She said the rooms will have tile floors and though none will have a private bathroom, they’ll have access to the recently remodeled bathrooms on the ground floor.

“Everything should be done in September,” Jones said. “October 30 will be our big gala open house and we’re going to invite the community to see their new community center.”

Though she said she wasn’t sure if they would be able to attend, Jones said the plan is to invite the people who were instrumental in getting the center up and running to the open house. These people are Senator Patty Murray, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and MJ Murdock Charitable Trust.