STARTUP — When he heard about an effort to save the dilapidated Startup gym, he wanted to lend a hand.
The retired Sultan woodworker kicked off restoration work in September, fixing the gym’s rickety entryway as a volunteer with the nonprofit Sky Valley Arts Council.
Rick Cross wanted to help save the place where he’d fallen for his wife, Brenda, almost a half century earlier.
In September 1969, they were in the same sixth grade class at a school that stood next to the gym until it was torn down years ago. Brenda caught Rick’s eye as she rode her blue, three-speed bicycle.
His crush grew as Brenda, who sat one row over and two seats ahead of him, answered just as many of the teacher’s questions as he did.
“She was oblivious to me, but I noticed her,” he said.
They graduated from Sultan High School in 1976 and parted ways. Rick’s affection remained, but Brenda was unaware of her shy admirer.
By their 10-year class reunion, Rick had worked up the nerve to ask her out. They went panning for gold along the Sultan River on their first date.
Two years later, in September 1988, they married and settled in Sultan. They raised two boys who didn’t know the story of their parents’ romance until Rick volunteered for the Arts Council project.
Working from 1930s plans, the 57-year-old toiled for five weeks, restoring the columns, railings and fine woodwork around the gym’s entrance. He recruited friends and family to help as needed.
The Arts Council is leasing the long-neglected property from the Sultan School District. They are working together on plans to save it.
The Startup Gym has a colorful and storied history. It was built in 1937 and dedicated the following year.
George Startup, a local sawmill owner, donated the wood. Volunteers constructed the sturdy building.
Only the company that set the roof beams was paid. The rest of the materials and labor came from donations.
“That’s what all the old-timers say,” said Debbie Copple, the project manager.
The Arts Council hopes to carry that tradition on with the current restoration. The goal is to complete the work within three years so the public can use the gym for events.
Organizers are recruiting local talent to restore the building. They are seeking donations of supplies and money.
A rummage sale to raise money for materials is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Startup Gym, 14315 366th Ave SE. There are several ways to help, including shopping the sale, donating merchandise, volunteering to set up Saturday, or renting a booth.
Copple said organizers plan is to restore the gym piece by piece. She isn’t sure how much the project will cost because people and businesses have been pitching in, reducing the expenses of each step, so far.
The gym got a new roof in December for about half of the $60,000 she expected. That’s thanks to help from Lynnwood’s Loberg Roofing Company and the Snohomish County Historical Preservation Commission, Copple said.
There’s still a long way to go before the work is finished. Among the jobs to do are replacing windows and plumbing, renovating and painting the siding, and remolding the bathrooms, kitchen and lunchroom.
Like the Crosses, people with memories of the gym span several generations. Frank and Nancy Roesler, of Sultan, also met at the gym. They’re now getting ready to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.
The Arts Council plans to start using the gym to introduce people to the restoration project and raise money for it. A 1950s-style sock hop and silent auction is scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 13.
The Crosses grew up going to dances, sporting events, band performances and other happenings at the gym, which was once the center of their community. Now, they hope to save it for generations to come.
“This gym has a lot of good memories and not just to us. It has a lot of meaning to a lot of people,” said Brenda Cross. “You’re not going to find a lot of places with this many memories.”
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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For more information or to help, call 425-238-2651 or stop by the Sky Valley Visitor Center in Sultan.
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