Thursday at the corner of Winslow Way and Olympic Drive was truly a sight for sore eyes.

Or to put it another way, the end to an eyesore is drawing near.

Members of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island joined with fellow islanders and officials from the city of Bainbridge Island, Kitsap Transit and the Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Recreation District, as well as representatives from PHC Construction, the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association at the former Unocal gas station property to break ground on a new gateway attraction called The Waypoint.

Groundbreaking for the new pass-through park follows nearly two years of work by a resolute group of community volunteers to turn the unsightly land at the entrance to the island into a pleasing promenade for the public.

Many, many people deserve the community’s gratitude for shepherding this project to fruition. The Rotary Club has done an amazing and outstanding job of creating momentum and community support for The Waypoint, and the organization’s early gift of $80,000 toward the park’s construction cost has been crucial.

Architect John Paul Jones deserves much praise for his design that is reflective of the community’s desires for this gateway attraction, and the city, parks district and Kitsap Transit also earn our appreciation for their support of a citizens’ initiative that will transform an ugly, underutilized lot into a welcoming place for both islanders and visitors alike.