Restroom to be redone

The Port of South Whidbey awarded a contract last week to Gemkow Construction of Clinton to remodel the restroom at Freeland Park.

A day at the beach in Freeland is about to get more comfortable and better looking.

The Port of South Whidbey awarded a contract last week to Gemkow Construction of Clinton to remodel the restroom at Freeland Park. The company’s $71,000 contract was the low bid. The project will be funded by the port.

Construction to remodel the old concrete block building is expected to begin in several weeks.

The port’s project manager, Tom Roehl, said the new building will have a rustic appearance that will better fit the park.

Architect Rick Brown designed the new facility, which will have benches on three sides of the building, new siding and roof and interior remodeling with new fixtures.

Freeland’s Park’s makeover began several years ago with the addition of a new ramp and dock. Last year the South Whidbey Lions began beautifying the park’s grounds with landscaping and raised flower beds. All the work was done with volunteer labor.

Other improvements planned by the port include a new walking path along Myrtle Street from Washington Mutual Bank to the park.

Roehl is currently working on the design and expects the path will be done sometime this summer.

Tentative plans are to make it a paved walkway 4 to 6 feet wide.