After almost exactly 20 years in the Liberty Lake Medical Building, Liberty Lake EyeCare Center officially opened a modern, spacious new showroom built specifically for the practice on Jan. 28, 2020. Located at 22011 E. Country Vista Drive, Suite 101, Dr. Bret Ulrich, Dr. Michael Park and the LLEC team are excited to serve longtime friends as well as new patients at the location.
By Brooke Baker Spink Director of Business Development, Baker Construction & Development Inc.
How can my business get more involved in the community — and is it worth it?
At Baker Construction and Development, we have a strong commitment to improving the lives of the people in the great community we are lucky enough to call home. It is of paramount importance that we support the community that has supported us since 1951.
Our city has some incredible businesses and nonprofits working hard to improve the lives of many. While we wish we could help them all financially, we are proud to say our employees donate their most treasured asset with the greatest generosity: their time. From serving on boards and committees to getting out there and actually rolling up our sleeves to lend a hand, great experiences and relationships are built through service.
How did we get started? We connected with things that were already important to us. Servant leadership is taking care of those around you before one’s self. We’re proud to partner with many companies and nonprofits that share our values and moral compass. As we head into the future, we’ll continue doing business the old-fashioned way with a healthy sense of humor and treating our clients as an extension of our family. It is a true joy to partner with groups with shared passions for our great community.
In the summer of 2019, the City of Liberty Lake dedicated Orchard Park, an 11-acre green space in the River District. The fully developed park features a splash pad, tennis, basketball and pickleball courts, a playground, two picnic pavilions, an amphitheater and a winding path. The $2 million project was funded primarily by the city.
2. Two new schools in Liberty Lake
Approved on the February 2018 ballot, the new Selkirk Middle School officially opened and was dedicated on Aug. 22, 2019. The new middle school, designed to accommodate 600 students, was designed by ALSC Architects and constructed by Walker Construction. That same month, the Central Valley School District broke ground on another school within Liberty Lake city limits, the new Ridgeline High School, future home of the Falcons.
3. Thank you, Steve Peterson
Mayor Steve Peterson sought re-election as Liberty Lake’s mayor, but last November citizens chose a different direction. Steve has been with the city for many years and was a driving force for many of the positive changes that helped bring many of the projects in Liberty Lake to fruition. Thank you, Steve, for all of your service to Liberty Lake.
Two to watch in 2020
1. Mayor Brickner at the helm
In the 19-year history of the City of Liberty Lake, we have only seen two different mayors at the helm —until now. This year, we welcome the third, Mayor Shane Brickner. Having served on the City Council for eight years prior, Brickner is not new to the city nor the community. He also served as a volunteer reserve police officer in the Liberty Lake Police Department for more than 12 years. As Mayor Brickner settles into his new role this year, we are bound to see some changes at the city as his leadership style sets in.
2. Trailhead reimagined
The City of Liberty Lake has long debated the future of the Trailhead Golf Course, but the city has hired an outside consultant to help them develop a master plan for the property. Ideas such as incorporating the City Hall property into a single development as well as considering more community space and an expanded driving range have all got people thinking. The consultant is supposed to come back with high, low and medium cost proposals for continued discussion in 2020. Which option will the community buy into? How will the city pay for said improvements? With the current momentum, it looks like the proposal will be coming forward in 2020. Stay tuned.