Walleye Club donates new pier to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - When Gary Main saw a photo of a child fishing at the new pier at Blue Heron Park, it brought tears to his eyes. Five years of hard work had paid off.

Main, chairman of the Columbia Basin Walleye Club, was worried about someone, especially children, falling in the lake fishing underneath the Interstate 90 bridge in Moses Lake. He approached the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation department with the idea of adding a fishing pier at Blue Heron Park. That was in 2007.

Not without a few bumps in the road, the pier is now open.

Walleye Club President Mike Schleuter presented the pier to Mayor Bill Ecret Tuesday morning during a dedication ceremony. A total of 12 children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin were invited for some free fishing during the ceremony.

The pier, costing about $100,000, was installed just before Memorial Day and Main said the project wouldn't have been possible without so many people in the community stepping up, donating money, supplies and labor. Main said almost everyone was willing to pitch in, including Bill Fairbanks with Duncan Crane, who donate his time and a crane to install four 10,500 pound cement anchors underneath the pier.

And Russ and Janet Baker, who joined the pier committee, helping to establish the non-profit organization, a process that delayed fundraising for almost two years. When fundraising began again in 2011, the Baker's were able to raise nearly $80,000.

More than 50 people attended the ceremony, including Parks and Recreation Director Spencer Grigg, who said he remembers playing at Blue Heron Park when he was 8, and fishing underneath the bridge.

"On behalf of all those 8-year-olds out there who wanted to catch that big fish, you guys have made it a reality," Grigg said, speaking to those who helped support the pier.

Each individual or business that contributed to the project will have their names on the dock. Main said stainless steel fish, ranging in sizes depending on the amount of contribution, will be placed along the pier. For those who donated more than $5,000 to the project, a "super" fish is on display on a sign near the dock, including Mick Hansen, director of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District (MLIRD), Duncan Crane, Laserfab, the Moses Lake Conservation District, MLIRD and the Walleye Club.

Now that the newest lake amenity is in place, Main said the leftover funds raised could be used to preserve the underwater habitat. Main said the Walleye Club is working with the state Department of Natural Resources to add artificial habitat boxes to keep fish in the area year-round.

As a reminder, Grigg said the fishing pier should not be used for swimming or boaters.