By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – The visitor center at Hurricane Ridge is about to get a huge upgrade, but park officials say it will have to be closed for about a year for repairs.

Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Olympic National Park recently awarded a $10.8 million construction contract to remodel the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge. The project includes interior and exterior repairs that will bring one of the park’s most popular facilities into compliance with current building safety, fire, and accessibility codes.

Park spokesperson Meagan Huff says the building, which hasn’t seen a major update in over 20 years, has some understandable wear-and-tear issues to address.

“Absolutely. It’s a very exposed space as anyone who’s been there knows. And there is some pretty harsh winter weather that that building has to contend with. You’ll see that there’s improvements to the electrical and plumbing systems, fire detection, notification systems, modifications to the elevator, as well as making the building more accessible both inside and out.”

The Lodge, which sits at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, offers a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains and attracts about 300,000 visitors per year. Originally built in 1952 as a ski lodge, it was remodeled in 1983, and again in 2000 when it was expanded to its current size of over 12,000 square feet.

There is a catch. In order to complete the remodel, the Lodge will be closed from about April 2023 to May 2024. Park officials plan to have temporary facilities to serve visitors.

“As far as I know, there will be restrooms and some interpretive services, as well. And the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles will remain open. So, if folks would like to talk to a ranger, get a Junior Ranger book, they can always stop on their way up or down from Hurricane Ridge.”

Learn more about this project on the NPS GAOA website.

(ONP photo shows some of the exterior damage)