Colville Mayor Highlights Infrastructure Projects, Recreation Center at Chamber Luncheon

City infrastructure improvements, economic development, and plans for a potential year-round recreation center were among the topics discussed during the June 23 Colville Chamber of Commerce meeting. The luncheon featured presentations from Colville Mayor Jack Smith and representatives from Norstar Heating and Cooling.

Smith opened his presentation with an overview of city operations, explaining the structure of Colville’s departments and highlighting several projects underway. Among the largest is a $4.5 million water infrastructure project that will move the aging Reservoir 2 to the city’s well complex on Aladdin Road.

The city is also continuing an extensive road preservation program this summer, with roughly six miles of roadway scheduled for maintenance and upgrades. Smith said that Colville’s population may soon exceed 5,000 residents, a milestone that could affect eligibility for certain state transportation funding programs. “We’re pushing to get as much road preservation work done as we can while those funds are still available,” Smith said.

The mayor highlighted ongoing development at the Colville Municipal Airport, including increased use of a recently-installed, 12,000-gallon Jet-A fuel tank by wildfire suppression aircraft, emergency medical services, and law enforcement agencies. He also reported that the Federal Aviation Administration approved the airport’s layout plan after a three-year review process.

The plan outlines potential future expansion opportunities that could be implemented over the coming decades, according to Smith. The presentation then moved to the proposed, year-round recreation center. Smith said a recently-completed feasibility study indicated the project could be viable, prompting city officials to move to the next planning phase.

“The council felt there was enough there to proceed to the next step,” Smith said. He added that the city has commissioned preliminary architectural drawings to help determine what such a facility could look like and what the long-term operating costs might be.

Smith also discussed efforts to address vandalism in city park restrooms through increased staffing and monitoring. He shared that the city pool opened on schedule this summer, following installation of a new liner.

The mayor praised the renovations at the Colville Fire Department, highlighting improvements to both the apparatus bay and the interior of the historic portion of the building.

During a question-and-answer session, Smith expressed concerns about proposed state legislation related to homelessness and public camping regulations. He credited policy changes with helping the city address unauthorized camping within city limits and encouraged residents and business owners to remain engaged with state legislative issues that could affect local communities.

Following the mayor’s presentation, Lisa Butterfield of Norstar Heating and Cooling discussed changes affecting the HVAC and electrical industries. Butterfield explained that a federally mandated refrigerant transition took effect earlier this year, replacing the commonly used R-410A refrigerant with newer alternatives designed to reduce environmental impacts. She also discussed workforce challenges in the electrical trade, including updated state apprenticeship requirements that mandate electricians complete formal classroom instruction in addition to on-the-job training.

Norstar also introduced its participation in the Lennox “Feel the Love” program, a nationwide initiative that provides free heating and cooling systems to nominated community members. Under the program, nominations can be made for those facing financial hardship, health challenges, or other difficult circumstances. Lennox provides the equipment while Norstar donates labor and installation services, according to Butterfield. She said nominations are open through Aug. 31, with installations expected to take place this fall.

After presentations, Chamber President Scott Aslaskon reminded attendees that the organization’s annual Sidewalk Sale and Car Show is scheduled for July 9-11. The chamber is also conducting a membership drive, launching monthly business-after-hours networking events, and continuing its Business of the Month promotion program. Aslaskon said the chamber’s lunch series will pause for the summer and resume Sept. 22 with a business “show and tell.”