Bring all your skills to the Startup Gym painting work party
Published 1:30 am Monday, May 15, 2017
STARTUP — Eighty years later, a local landmark built by volunteers is regaining relevance — thanks to a new generation of volunteers.
A work party to paint the interior of the old Startup Gym is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20.
It’s the latest roll-up-the-sleeves gathering in the grassroots campaign to resurrect the once-prominent building and turn it into the Startup Event Center. The center is the dream of the Sky Valley Arts Council.
The Startup Gym was built in 1937 by volunteers using donated materials from the Startup Mill. The Saturday event will include donations from Home Depot and Behr paint. Home Depot employees also will be there volunteering and providing equipment.
Volunteers worked nearly 1,400 hours between August through December of 2016.
So far, more than 40 people have contributed to the renovation in one way or another. The building has a new roof, siding, windows and other improvements. Startup is a tiny unincorporated town along U.S. 2 and east of Sultan.
Debbie Copple, director of the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center, is hoping for a big showing Saturday to paint walls that reach 18 feet high. There will be stairwells, the balcony and stage to paint as well.
She’s also hoping workers can pull out and remove old toilets and urinals as well as old plaster and concrete to fill up a Dumpster.
“We could really use people who are strong,” she said.
Then again, there is work for anyone, including the volunteer who offered to make turkey sandwiches for fellow volunteers.
Landscaping also is needed and light bulbs will be replaced on Saturday.
“The more help, the better,” Copple said.
There is plenty of work ahead after Saturday’s paint party, including plumbing, refinishing hardwood floors and improvements to the ceiling to make it acoustically pleasing.
“Everyone is doing what they can,” Copple said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
