Skate park ceremony today

Nearly six years after a group of Oak Harbor teenagers called Nobody Special conceived the idea of a municipal skateboard park, the North Whidbey Skate Park is complete.

The 18,000 square-foot park is an incarnation of community spirit. It was designed and built by volunteers and financed by donors.

There will be ribbon-cutting celebration at the park today, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. The skate park is located at Volunteer Park next to the Oak Harbor Senior Center on SE Jerome Street.

Mayor Patty Cohen will on-hand to cut the ribbon. Cohen, Oak Harbor Parks Superintendent Hank Nydem and local architect Terry LeDesky will give short speeches and hand out 50 or so certificates to the individuals and businesses that helped create the park.

The donor wall will also be unveiled. The wall contains “donor stones,” which bear the names of people who donated to the project.

In addition, several local skateboarders will give demonstrations. Cake, coffee and treats will be served.

Clinton dock work begins Monday

Whidbey Islanders will see construction activity at the Clinton ferry dock beginning Monday when phase two of dock reconstruction begins.

The new phase will increase the size of the dock by extending it offshore to the east and replacing the existing north half of the dock. The south side was replaced in phase one, completed earlier this year.

In addition, the north slip will be moved further offshore, the agent’s office relocated, the recreational pier relocated, and four toll booths will be placed in new locations.

Traffic impacts will not begin until mid-December, according to Washington State Ferries. Manson Construction has 2 1/2 years to complete the project.

Flu shot clinics delayed, but no shortage

Manufacturer delays have forced the Island County Health Dept. and Whidbey General Hospital to cancel the following flu shot clinics: Nov. 14 at Coupeville Recreation Hall and Nov. 20 at Oak Harbor Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Health officials said there is only a delay in receiving the vaccine, not a shortage. At this point, there are plans to reschedule any canceled clinics. Also, the following dates are still occurring: Nov. 30 in Coupeville (same location) and Dec. 10 in Oak Harbor (same location).

For up-to-the-minute information about flu shot availability around Whidbey, call 679-7351.

Middle school lunch popular

Oak Harbor School District Levy Oversight Committee has reported that participation in the National School Lunch Program has greater participation by middle school students than high school students.

The Levy Oversight Committee receives a monthly report from the school district regarding implementation of the two school levies approved by voters March 13. This month’s report states that 81 percent of middle school students are buying school lunches, while only 28 percent of high school students purchase lunch at the school cafeteria. High school students have complained about their food.

Meanwhile the Levy Oversight Committee is aware that high school students are unhappy with the food and service, and the school district has informed them that “things are being worked out,” said Kathy Radosta, committee chairperson.

High school’s future planned Monday

Oak Harbor School District will host a public meeting on Monday, Nov. 3 to gather the community’s input on the master plan for Oak Harbor’s high school of the future.

This year the district received state funding for a study and survey of facility needs. Such funding is given only once every five years.

A big part of the current examination by architects and engineers is the remodel and expansion of the high school, which was originally built to accommodate 1,200 students. There are now about 1,800 students enrolled at Oak Harbor High School.

The public will have the opportunity to hear from the architect that is completing the study, learn about remodeling ideas already submitted by teachers and students, and offer input on design suggestions that will be part of the final presentation to the school board.

Monday’s meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Parker Hall at the high school. For more information call 279-5003.