Five local organizations have received more than $30,000 in funding from the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation.

The awards “will enhance recreational opportunities of Bainbridge Island citizens,” park planner Perry Barrett said.

“These outstanding projects stand testament to the imagination, hard work and community consensus necessary to take a dream to fruition,” he said.

Grant recipients include:

• The Committee to Renovate the Battle Point Park Transmitter Building: $10,000;

• Babe Ruth Baseball: $10,000 to construct a restroom and snack shack at Sands Field;

• Bainbridge Aquatic Center: $5,418 to complete the funding of the ozonator project;

• Bainbridge Island Swim Club: $900 for the purchase of an additional timing device;

• Friends of the Battle Point Arena: up to $4,000 in matching funds for the construction of a horse ring at the southeast corner of Battle Point Park, subject to final park board approval.

Foundation President David C. Williams said requests were measured on the need for the specific project, the long-term viability of the project and the commitment shown by the sponsors.

A critical consideration was whether each sponsor group had also raised funds on their own from the community; the foundation did not want to be the sole funding source.

Foundation grant funding comes primarily through designated donations received through the Bainbridge Foundation’s One Call for All Campaign.

Colman work under way

Construction workers this week began demolition on the passenger level at Colman Dock, the first step in development of a new retail and food court.

Torn out were office spaces used for decades by ferry system managers, engineers and office workers.

The remodeled passenger area will include new retail food services, featuring sit-down dining and standing table bars indoors and out. Also included in the remodel are new passenger ticket booths, an upgraded information booth and new restrooms.

The new retail area is planned for 10,000 square feet, with project cost of $1.9 million.

By early August, the retail areas will be sufficiently complete for vendors to begin their specific improvements. The new waiting area and food court are scheduled to open in early October.

Vendors will include island-based Commuter Comforts, as well as World Wrapps, Caffe Appassionato Coffee Company, Matt’s Famous Chili Dogs and Alaska Gourmet Subs.

More history in their future

Two islanders are headed to the National History Day competition next month in Washington, D.C.

At the state finals on May 1, Bainbridge High School ninth-grader Luke Jensen placed first in the senior division for video documentary. The 10-minute film focuses on the lawsuit of the Wright Brothers against aviator Glen Curtiss.

Jensen, who placed second at state last year, was impressed by the quality of videos since his first regional competition four years ago. “Pretty much every project has (visual) effects that used to be considered mind-boggling,” Jensen said.

“(Now) you can zoom and pan still pictures like a History Channel documentary. The challenge is not to overdo it.”

In his first time at state, Woodward eighth-grader Zach Ingrasci took second in the junior division for his film “The Opium War: Forced Exchange between the Chinese and the English.”

One of the judges commented of Ingrasci’s work: “I know college freshman who could learn a lot about researching from you.”

“I was shaking,” Ingrasci said. “I had to ask my mom if it was real. (State is) a whole different level – kind of nerve-wracking, but fun to see the amazing projects.”

– Tina Lieu