Boardwalk opens door to Sandpoint's downtown

SANDPOINT — There’s a new doorway to the downtown core, but don’t expect to use a car or bike to access it.

With the completion of the boardwalk and moorage area behind the Panida Theater, the minds behind the new addition are celebrating the successful end to a lot of hard work. With the new facilities ready to go, the additions serve as a new gateway into the downtown for those who prefer water to asphalt.

“A while ago, I saw some people approach in a boat and head into downtown to get something to eat,” project director Stephen Drinkard said.

The project began in the early 2000s with moorage construction near the Old Power House, an effort that opened up more areas of Sandpoint’s lakefront property to public use during its first phase. It was also a tough project to get off the ground, as Drinkard had to contact about eight different business and property owners to secure permission for public use of the space.

When it came time to expand that work deeper into the downtown several years later, the same challenges reemerged. While there were fewer negotiations with property owners over use of the space, the ever-present need for funding raised its head once again.

Fortunately, Drinkard and other planners had a few options available to them. They had a $500,000 grant from Idaho Transportation Department that could be used for some of the project’s essential construction elements plus a decorative archway spanning across the access point. Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency backed up that money with an additional $250,000, while Drinkard secured a $60,000 Idaho Parks and Recreation Waterways Grant to cap off the necessary funds.

The next step was to find a person who could handle the complexity of the project. The boardwalk and moorage needed to be easily accessible for everyone, ADA-compliant and look good all at the same time.

“Essentially, we needed someone who could do wonders with concrete,” Drinkard said.

That person ended up being John Siegmund, who handled all the concrete work on the project. He joined Jim Woodward, who was selected as the contractor for the boardwalk and moorage.

As the project began to come together, Drinkard turned to a community council to best determine how the new boardwalk and moorage could best reflect the spirit of Sandpoint while staying within budget. A citizen’s advisory group generated several ideas, including a kayak dock and other welcome touches.

When the heavy-duty construction wrapped up, Drinkard became concerned that no one seemed to be using the ADA ramps if they didn’t require them. After considering several options, he and his advisory team settled on decorating the area with historic photographs of the town. Drinkard secured some prime photos from history enthusiast Dann Hall and commissioned reproductions to be positioned along the ramps.

“We tried hard to balance Sandpoint’s character with financial concerns,” Drinkard said. “I think what we got is a clean boardwalk and moorage that enhances the area’s natural character.”