South County Beat: Grover readies for construction of new bridge

By Nick Wilson & Dawn White

The city of Grover Beach will break ground on its $2.6 million Grand Avenue Bridge at Meadow Creek and storm drainage project Thursday at 10 a. m. The event will be at the site of the bridge replacement across Meadow Creek on West Grand Avenue.

Mayor John Shoals and other city representatives will begin the work on the four-lane bridge that provides the main access to Pismo Beach and Oceano Dunes state parks for about 2 million visitors a year.

The bridge has been reduced to two lanes after it was damaged in the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake. Once completed, its new features will include sidewalks on both sides and ornamental lighting.

About $1.6 million is being funded through federal grants through the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments. The remaining funds come from the city’s Improvement Agency. MGE Underground of Paso Robles won the bid on the project.

Help for Grover pavilion

Mike Miner of Miner’s Ace Hardware in Grover Beach presented a $2,500 check to Bill Nicolls, a member of the Rotary Club of Grover Beach, to help with construction of a $20,000 shade structure pavilion at the upper barbecue area at Grover Heights Park in Grover Beach.

Plans and construction of the pavilion are expected within the next few months. Donations to support the project are still being accepted by the Rotary Club. For more information, call Nicolls at 481-9677 or Richard Roberts at 473-3457.

Boosters raise money

Nipomo High School Boosters will hold its spring fundraiser Saturday at the Edwards Barn at Pomeroy and Willow roads in Nipomo.

“An Evening in Paradise” includes a barbecue dinner, auction and dancing. The cost is $50 with all proceeds benefiting the high school’s athletic and academic programs.

The event runs from 4 to 10 p. m. For more information, call 709-2319.

Paint the town purple

Swaths of purple are expected to be displayed in the Five Cities area Thursday to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

The promotion, known as “Paint Our Town Purple Day,” encourages residents and business to don purple in support of the group’s 24-hour relay.

An informational rally is set for Thursday at 6:30 p. m. at the Oak Park Christian Church, 386 North Oak Park Blvd. in Grover Beach.

Money for Uganda

Students at St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Arroyo Grande recently raised more than $1,300 in a coin drive to benefit a school in Uganda.

The funds were used to build desks and benches for The Hope for Children school.

“The entire idea came after a visit from Valence Lutasire, a Ugandan man visiting one of our parents here locally,” said Principal Kevin Mullery.

The South County Beat column runs every Wednesday. Tips can be e-mailed to south county@thetribunenews.com.