May 12, 2003
Contact: Bill Yarwood (509-963-1120/fax 509-963-3301/e-mail: yarwoodb@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - When Central Washington University
students begin moving into the newly-renovated Kamola Hall for fall
quarter 2003, they’ll be occupying an award-winning facility.
During a ceremony Saturday (May 10), Historic Ellensburg presented CWU
President Jerilyn S. McIntyre with an award for
“Restoration/Rehabilitation of a Public/State Property” in recognition
of the work now under way at Kamola.
Representatives from a variety of university departments
involved with the project, including business and financial affairs,
facilities management, facilities planning, housing and conference
services, office of the provost, purchasing, residence life,
undergraduate studies, university relations and the university student
body, also attended the ceremony.
“The work being done on this property demonstrates the kind
of beneficial, pleasing effect that good quality restoration and
rehabilitation can have on the campus and the entire community,” Joe
Bach, Historic Ellensburg president, says.
The award acknowledges the quality of the $6.3 million
restoration project, by Kovalenko Hale Architects and Lydig
Construction, which includes selective demolition, seismic upgrades,
carpentry, roofing, masonry, finishes, plumbing, mechanical, electrical
and telecommunications updates in the four-story, 56,000-square-feet
residence hall.
“This award recognizes the value we place on our history and
the connection we have with the community,” says McIntyre, who also is
a member of Historic Ellensburg. “Many of our graduates have lived in
Kamola, so it’s also a great source of pride for our alumni.”
Kamola was named in honor of the daughter of the Kittitas
Indian Chief Owhi. Properly spelled “Quo-mallah,” she was said to be
the favorite daughter of Chief Owhi and was known and respected
throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Kamola was the first dormitory built on the Central
Washington University campus in Ellensburg. Constructed in stages
between 1910 and 1920, it’s CWU’s second oldest building remaining
today.
Through advocacy, education and collaboration, Historic
Ellensburg’s mission is to protect and preserve the heritage of
Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley by promoting historic preservation.
This was the group’s sixth annual “Progress through
Preservation” award’s ceremony. And, it was the second time a CWU
building has been the focus of an award. Barge Hall received a similar
honor at the first awards ceremony.
