Tenold’s inspired Eagle project finally gets deserved dedication
A lot has happened in Bryceson Tenold’s life since he built the adaptive snow sports chalet at Mount Spokane for his Eagle Scout project. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High, got a degree in international business and marketing from Pepperdine University, became an officer in the Marine Corps, commanded troops in two wars and got married.
Tenold, a Marine Corps Captain, returns to Mount Spokane Saturday for a long overdue formal dedication of the chalet. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. A reception in the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol chalet next door follows, hosted by volunteers from the adaptive snow sports program.
After consecutive tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tenold is stationed in Hawaii. He’s back in his hometown for the first time in three years for the holidays.
“We’ve been trying to do this the right way, because a lot of people gave a lot of time and resources to see this thing through,” Tenold said. “It should have happened a long time ago, but as you can see I’ve been busy.”
Tenold will officially present his uncommonly ambitious Eagle project to the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department at the ceremony. He will acknowledge more than 100 organizations and individuals who contributed cash, materials and labor to the chalet.
The Adaptive Snow Sports program teaches people who are hearing and visually impaired, as well as stand-up snow riders with balance challenges and riders who need to use a “sit ski.” Lessons start in January and scholarships are available. Alice Busch, supervisor of therapeutic recreation services at Spokane Parks & Recreation, directs the program.
“The chalet allowed us to get more equipment to teach kids and a wider variety of people,” Busch said. “It’s also a nice space to meet our students and their families. Sometimes the first trip to the mountain can be scary. We want to give them warm reassurance that we will take care of them and give them professional lessons.”
Busch also said the distinctive profile and prominent location of the chalet is a great advertisement for the program.
“It’s out there and people are curious about what the building is for,” she said. “They see it and tell disabled people they know, ‘You can still ski, so why not try to learn?’ ”
When the time came for his Eagle project, Tenold had been a member of the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol for three years.
“Back then the adaptive program was working out of something we called the lawnmower shed,” he said. “The people there don’t get paid, they don’t get passes, and I wanted to do something because I respected them a lot.”
He said the initial concept was much smaller, but the scope grew rapidly with the number of volunteers, ranging from architects and engineers to material suppliers and laborers.
“I did my own campaign road show to raise money for the project,” Tenold said. “I spoke at events like Rotary Club meetings and eventually more people became interested. I’m amazed it all came together so quickly.”
The foundation was poured on Sept. 30, 2000. All-volunteer labor had the chalet ready for use by Dec. 16. With its classic alpine design, the 480-square-foot building looks like baby brother to the ski patrol chalet next door. Its interior has a 22-foot beamed ceiling, oak panels, hand-crafted benches and a view of Spirit Lake. Nine years later, the effort gets its due.
“Tomorrow is about the ideas we espouse and support as a community.” Tenold said. “I really think this is a celebration of the things Spokane can do and what we like to be known for.”