This is a fairly significant investment by outside people, looking to support one of our area's great retreat centers and gathering places.

The story ran in Sunday's Here's the Dirt column:

Nicki and Ron Coil, of Eugene, Oregon, have purchased the Pinelow Park and Conference Center, a 40-acre property at Deer Lake used by many church groups and organizations.

The Coils paid $1.5 million to Northwest District Church of the Nazarene. The land includes lake frontage, a dock, six lodges, two dining rooms, 18 cabins, an outdoor amphitheater and a conference center that seats 600.

The conference center was originally developed by the Nazarene Church in the 1940s. It's about 37 miles from downtown Spokane.

The Coils intend to make the center a year-round conference and retreat location. They will continue to schedule weddings and special meetings or events, Nicki Coil said.

Ron Coil will be the primary property manager. They plan a series of major improvements over the next year, said Nicki Coil.

Erik Nelson and Colin Conway of Kiemle & Hagood helped broker the deal.

---

---