Fundraising, which included major donations and discounts from local businesses, have led to an asphalt track at Columbia Elementary School in Woodland
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
An idea turned into a project, with a few small steps in hopes of leading to the larger goal.
Now, the community around Columbia Elementary School in Woodland can take a lot of steps on a new walking track.
The Woodland Parent Teacher Student Association, working with local businesses and donors from throughout the area, raised funds, and a local company gave quite the discount in order to complete the project. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this week.
“It’s perfect for an elementary school,” said Kellie Tooley, a board member of the PTSA, referring to the long, thin asphalt oval.
Katie Murdock, who had been a board member for years, was key to starting the project, Tooley said. Murdock raised the money to install a gravel walking track, with hopes of improving the track when funds became available.
Last school year, Tooley took over the main fundraising duties. Eight companies would end up donating $1,000 or more, and the PTSA raised close to $4,000 during Woodland’s famous Planters Days festival in June.
The gravel track was a huge improvement over no track, but in order for the track to be up to ADA standards, it needed an upgrade. Asphalt, though, costs money. Estimates were more than $25,000.
Tooley was discussing the needs of the PTSA project at a Port of Woodland meeting when a representative of Granite Construction handed her a business card. That was the beginning of a relationship that would bring home this project.
Granite Construction made it an asphalt track, took the money that PTSA had already raised, and then waived the remainder of the cost, Tooley said. The PTSA got the project at about a 50 percent discount.
Other major donors included: Perlo Construction, the Bjur family, Burris Creek Mini Storage, the Colf Family Foundation. Ryan’s Excavating and Trucking, and the Rychel family donated time to the cause, as well.
“Now our Columbia Elementary has a fully functional asphalt track that is loved,” Tooley said.
She added that the school’s principal, David Starkey, reports that the track gets so many laps every day from children in P.E. classes and at recess.
Also, community members have been seen using the track.
“It really took everyone from across the town,” Tooley said. “It ended up being such an amazing project.”
Also read:
- Signatures filed for initiatives on parental rights, blocking trans athletes from girls’ sports
Supporters of two initiatives on parental rights and transgender participation in girls’ sports filed signatures Friday, moving the measures closer to consideration by Washington lawmakers. - Vancouver Police investigate shooting
Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal shooting reported early Jan. 3 outside the Off-Ramp Sports Bar on Northeast 112th Avenue. - Vancouver Police release critical incident video from Dec. 28 officer-involved shooting
Vancouver Police Department released a Critical Incident Video related to a December 28 officer-involved shooting while the Office of Independent Investigations continues its review. - Opinion: Transit agencies need accountability not increased state subsidy
Charles Prestrud argues that Washington transit agencies face rising costs and declining ridership due to governance structures that lack public accountability. - Letter: ‘For years, American foreign policy too often felt like a blank check’
Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi argues that the 2025 National Security Strategy marks a long-overdue shift toward clearer priorities, shared responsibility, and interest-based American leadership. - POLL: Are you better off than you were a year ago?
This week’s poll asks readers to reflect on their personal financial situation and whether they feel better off than they were a year ago as economic conditions continue to shift. - Opinion: Does tailgating cause speeding?
Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl examines whether tailgating contributes to speeding and explains why following too closely increases crash risk with little benefit.
