During the pandemic, I missed live events. Concerts, comedy, theater — these finally returned to most communities. And yet they haven’t returned to Washougal, because this town of 17,000 people has no space for them.
Some may think Washougal is too small to support a venue. Scores of smaller towns refute this. Port Townsend (population 10,306) and Astoria, Ore., (population 10,343) have multiple facilities. Cities one-tenth our size have theaters, like Cannon Beach, Ore., (population 1,547) and Twisp (population 1,042).
We have a high school auditorium, but it’s difficult for community groups to use. Its isolated location is also an issue. Arts venues amplify dollars spent in walkable neighborhoods that include shops and restaurants.
A local group has proposed a 1,200-seat theater for the Port of Camas-Washougal; I think it’s a mistake. Filling 1,200 seats is hard; even well-funded groups in big cities use smaller venues. A downtown space with 100-200 seats makes more sense.
Washougal deserves performing arts. We deserve our own stage, a place to come together for a concert, a play, a laugh, a reason to experience life together.
