SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Groundbreaking is scheduled for the $64 million redesign of Riverfront Park, site of the 1974 World's Fair.
The ceremonial groundbreaking took place Friday afternoon at the site of a future ice-skating feature across from City Hall.
Acting Assistant Director of Riverfront Park Jeff Bailey fell in love at the park when he started working there back when he was just 18-years-old.
"This is where I met my wife,” Bailey said. "She was an ice rink attendant and I was a security officer and we both met when we were 18.”
But now Bailey is helping to lead the charge toward the renovated park.
"We've come a long way. I've been here through so much and I've seen the construction of the new rotary fountain, I've seen the construction of the new skyride,” Bailey said.
Friday’s event is not a typical groundbreaking. There is food, giant murals and even life-sized games for people of all ages to enjoy.
Some people reminisced about the park during the Expo-74 excitement while others listened.
For Bailey, this is an era of new traditions. This is the park's first significant face lift since Expo '74.
"To have my three-year-old be part of the ceremony, to have her actually come and be one of the people to put the first shovel in is such an awesome feeling,” Bailey said. “"This is going to be a bustling little place for a long time."
One event on Friday night welcomes people to paint murals that are going up on the construction fence when construction is going on.
The 100-acre park will remain open for events throughout the five-year construction project.