The Colville High School Construction class is leaving a lasting mark on the community one board, beam, and nail at a time. Vincent Fazzari, Braedon Heater, Alexander Gaynor and Benjamin Mitchell are students in the school’s construction program.
The project began when Chris Long, Colville High School’s woodshop teacher, was approached by Colville Baseball, a local booster club, with the idea of building a concession stand to better serve athletes, families, and fans attending games at the junior high field. What started as a concept quickly became an opportunity for students to apply their skills in a meaningful, real-world way.
Fazzari took the lead on the design, drafting plans for a functional, durable, and visually appealing structure. From there, students worked side by side to bring the design to life handling everything from framing and siding to the countless smaller details that go into a project of this scale.
“This has been an incredible experience for our students,” said Long. “They’ve had the chance to take ownership of a project from start to finish, problem-solve along the way, and build something that will serve the community for years to come.”
The project has also been supported by the generosity of the local community. Vaagen Brothers Lumber contributed donated materials, helping offset construction costs. In addition, the wood shop program received two significant monetary donations to support the build. The remaining expenses have been funded by the Colville School District, reflecting a strong partnership between the school and the community it serves.
Beyond the physical structure itself, the concession stand represents the value of hands-on learning and the impact students can have when given the opportunity to create something meaningful. For the students, it’s a project that showcases not only their technical skills, but also their work ethic, teamwork, and pride in contributing to their school.
The concession stand was completed earlier this month and was installed at the junior high ball field through a joint effort between Colville School District Maintenance department and Vaagen Brothers Lumber.
Now in place, it will serve as a hub of activity for games and events, providing refreshments, bringing people together, and standing as a testament to the power of collaboration between the school district and community. At the heart of it all is the craftsmanship and dedication of the students who brought the vision to life!
