Waterworks in development near Columbia Ridge

EPHRATA - Crews with construction equipment could be seen earlier this week near the newly-remodeled Columbia Ridge Elementary. The Ephrata School District and the city of Ephrata are working to build a new water tower in the area, according to a press release from the Ephrata School District.

“Ephrata Schools have a great working relationship with the City of Ephrata,” said Assistant Superintendent Ken Murray. “We recognize the importance of this new resource to our community and are glad to do our part to help the city as they upgrade this service.”

To make way for the new water tower, the Tiger Cub Preschool, located next to Columbia Ridge, will be relocated to land that formerly served as a dirt bike track. The playground that had served the Tiger Cub children is on is owned by the city, but the district was granted use.

The playground site was once the location of Sage Hills High School.

A portable classroom, previously used for students while the remodel of Columbia Ridge was underway, has been moved near the Tiger Cub location to serve as a multipurpose room.

“This relocation project is exciting for our district too as we continue to build our strong preschool program and this relocated portable helps meet the needs of our expanding enrollment,” Murray said in the release.

Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim said the water tower is a true partnership with the district and the site for the new infrastructure was chosen because it provided the most value to city residents at the least expense and was needed due to more people moving to town.

“Recent growth in the northeast has made water pressure a challenge for area residents. The new reservoir will solve that issue,” Reim said in the release.