Sunrise Rotary contributes to greenhouse planned at YMCA

Thu., May 4, 2006

Paula M. Davenport Correspondent

About the time fall temperatures send native vegetation to sleep, a sparkling, new community greenhouse is scheduled to open in the Valley, nurturing die-hard gardeners of all ages.

On Monday, Spokane Valley’s Sunrise Rotary Club donated $25,000 toward the approximately $60,000 greenhouse, to be built on the grounds of the Spokane Valley YMCA, at North Discovery Place. The YMCA will pay the remainder and manage the greenhouse and its programs.

The Sunrise Rotary Club chose the greenhouse as its centennial project, in celebration of the group’s 100th anniversary in 2005.

It began socking away seed money in 2000, setting aside $5,000 annually until it reached the $25,000 mark, said Sandy Wade, club president.

“We wanted a project that would draw kids together with seniors and thought this would be a great way to do that. We have a Master Gardener in our club and he helped us put together some of the plans for the greenhouse,” she said.

The approximately 30- by 48-foot building will go up just south of the Valley YMCA building in fall, just in time for seedlings to take root in the hothouse.

Steve Jurich, a YMCA executive director, said a volunteer steering committee will be formed to help guide greenhouse projects and activities.

“We’re excited about the potential for intergenerational programs, and we wanted to take advantage of the Rotary’s generosity and do this,” said Jurich, also a club member.

The greenhouse will be strategically situated close to a senior citizens center and near the new CenterPlace convention and conference hall.

“I think it’s going to be a very, very good fit,” said Wade, who owns Pacific Crescent Quilting in Spokane.

In addition to the greenhouse project, Sunrise Rotary has helped pay for the rock climbing wall in the Valley YMCA, it funds up to nine community college scholarships a year and helps send Honduran children to schools so they have the opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty in their nation, Wade said.

Wade said the 36-member club holds one major fundraiser each year, consisting of a sit-down dinner, jazz music and silent and oral auctions.

Chartered in 1979, Sunrise Rotary meets at 7 a.m. Mondays at the Mirabeau Park Hotel. Visitors are welcome.

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