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Tag: North Mason Chamber of Commerce

  • Belfair’s Library Is Almost Back — And the Chamber Is Opening Something New at Theler

    Belfair’s Library Is Almost Back — And the Chamber Is Opening Something New at Theler

    Belfair’s Library Is Almost Back — And the Chamber Is Opening Something New at Theler

    Two of Belfair’s most-used community resources are in the middle of exciting transitions, and if you haven’t been following along, here’s the full picture on what’s happening, when things reopen, and where to go in the meantime.

    North Mason Timberland Library: Nearly Done, Under Budget, and Worth the Wait

    The North Mason Timberland Library (23081 NE SR 3, Belfair) has been closed since January 31, 2026, for a comprehensive interior refresh — and the news from Timberland Regional Library is good. As of late March 2026, TRL Director of Operations Brenda Lane confirmed the project is nearly complete and coming in under budget.

    This isn’t a paint-and-call-it-done job. The library is getting new paint, new flooring, new furniture, and a completely reimagined children’s area designed to be more welcoming for families. Library staff put it plainly: “There’s a lot of stuff that hasn’t been touched or cleaned for 30 years.” When the doors reopen — expected sometime in May or June 2026 — North Mason residents will walk into a genuinely different space.

    In the meantime, temporary services continue at the Mason Transit Authority building at 25250 SR 3 in Belfair (just off the SR-3 roundabout), open Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM. You can pick up holds, access printing services, and browse a small collection there. The full online catalog, digital library, and e-book/audiobook lending through Libby remain available 24/7 through the TRL website at trl.org.

    North Mason Chamber Visitor Center: Moving to the Salmon Center

    Here’s something to genuinely get excited about: the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is setting up a brand-new visitor center at the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, located at 600 NE Roessel Rd in Belfair — right next to the Mary E. Theler Wetlands Nature Preserve.

    The Chamber secured $45,000 in 2026 funding to make it happen and plans to staff the center part-time, five days a week, noon to 5 PM. If you’ve ever tried to point a visitor toward what makes North Mason special, the Salmon Center location makes perfect sense — you’re literally surrounded by it. The Theler Wetlands trail system, the salmon education programs, Hood Canal’s watershed — it’s all right there.

    This is also well-timed with the Theler Wetlands boardwalk project, which is scheduled for summer 2026 construction. The project will build an elevated piling-supported boardwalk in the footprint of the removed levees, reconnecting the full estuary trail loop for hikers, birders, and families. The Salmon Center and the wetlands trail system will effectively anchor a genuinely destination-worthy nature corridor in the heart of Belfair.

    Why Both of These Matter for North Mason

    A library is where Belfair’s kids do homework, where adults job-search and access government services, and where the community meets. A visitor center is where North Mason makes its first impression on newcomers and travelers. Having both upgraded and repositioned in the same spring is a signal that North Mason’s community infrastructure is moving forward — even when the bigger headlines are harder.

    If you want to stay current on the library reopening date, follow the North Mason Timberland Library on Facebook or check trl.org/locations/north-mason/ for the latest. For the visitor center, check northmasonchamber.com.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the North Mason Timberland Library reopen?

    The expected reopening window is May or June 2026. Timberland Regional Library will announce the exact date on trl.org and the library’s Facebook page when confirmed.

    Where can I pick up library holds while the library is closed?

    Temporary services are available at the Mason Transit Authority building at 25250 SR 3 in Belfair, Tuesday–Friday 10 AM–6 PM. You can also have holds transferred to any open Timberland Regional Library branch.

    Can I still access e-books and digital content during the closure?

    Yes. All digital lending through Libby, the TRL website, and online catalog remain available. Your library card works for all digital services at trl.org.

    Where exactly is the new Chamber visitor center going?

    The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, 600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair WA 98528. This is adjacent to the Mary E. Theler Wetlands trailhead — one of North Mason’s most scenic natural sites.

    When will the Chamber visitor center open?

    The Chamber has secured funding and is in the setup phase. Planned hours are noon–5 PM, five days a week. Check northmasonchamber.com for the confirmed opening date.

    What is the Theler Wetlands boardwalk project?

    Summer 2026 construction will add an elevated boardwalk in the footprint of removed levees at the Mary E. Theler Wetlands, reconnecting the full estuary trail loop. The project is being led by Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (PNW Salmon Center) in partnership with WDFW and other partners.

    Related from Belfair Bugle: Original library coverage: Belfair Business Pulse April 8, 2026 | Resident guide: Library services during the remodel | Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park opens near Theler Wetlands

  • North Mason Residents: Complete Guide to Library Services During the Belfair Remodel (and What’s Coming to Theler)

    North Mason Residents: Complete Guide to Library Services During the Belfair Remodel (and What’s Coming to Theler)

    North Mason Residents: Your Complete Guide to Library Services During the Belfair Remodel

    The North Mason Timberland Library is getting the refresh it’s needed for decades — and the good news is that temporary services are running smoothly while you wait. Here’s everything a Belfair-area resident needs to know to keep reading, learning, and accessing services through the spring.

    Where to Go Right Now

    The North Mason Timberland Library at 23081 NE SR 3, Belfair, is closed through at least May — reopen date expected in May or June 2026. During the closure, in-person services are available at the Mason Transit Authority building at 25250 SR 3, Belfair (just off the SR-3 roundabout near Belfair Town Center).

    Temporary library hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 AM–6 PM

    At the temporary location you can:

    • Pick up holds you’ve placed online
    • Return items
    • Access printing services
    • Browse a small physical collection
    • Get help from library staff

    What’s Available Online 24/7

    Your North Mason library card gives you full access to Timberland Regional Library’s digital services any time, from anywhere:

    • Libby app — thousands of e-books and audiobooks to borrow free
    • TRL online catalog at trl.org — browse and place holds at any branch
    • Digital magazines through Libby and TRL’s digital partners
    • Streaming and research databases — check trl.org for the full list

    Don’t have a library card? You can get a digital card online at trl.org without visiting a branch in person.

    What’s Being Renovated — And Why It Matters

    The North Mason library is getting new paint, new flooring, new furniture, and a completely redesigned children’s area. Library officials noted the building had “a lot of stuff that hasn’t been touched or cleaned for 30 years.” This isn’t a superficial refresh — it’s a genuine reinvestment in a building that serves the whole North Mason community.

    The project is coming in under budget, per Timberland Regional Library Director of Operations Brenda Lane. The under-budget finish means no scope cuts and no extended timeline due to cost overruns. That’s good news for an early reopening.

    The New Chamber Visitor Center — Coming to Theler

    While the library is being refreshed, another community resource is taking shape nearby. The North Mason Chamber of Commerce is setting up a visitor center at the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, 600 NE Roessel Rd — right next to the Mary E. Theler Wetlands trailhead.

    Planned hours are noon–5 PM, five days a week. The $45,000 project includes part-time staffing to help residents and visitors get oriented to North Mason’s parks, trails, businesses, and amenities. If you’ve ever wanted a single place to send people to understand what North Mason is all about, the Salmon Center location — surrounded by the Theler Wetlands and Hood Canal watershed — is exactly right.

    And this summer, the Theler Wetlands itself gets a major upgrade: a new elevated boardwalk will be built in the footprint of the removed levees, reconnecting the full estuary trail loop. It’s one of the most scenic walks in Mason County — and it’s about to get even better.

    How to Stay Updated

    • Library reopening: Follow North Mason Timberland Library on Facebook, or check trl.org/locations/north-mason/ for the confirmed date
    • Chamber visitor center opening: northmasonchamber.com
    • Theler Wetlands boardwalk project: pnwsalmoncenter.org/theler-wetlands-restoration-project

    Frequently Asked Questions for North Mason Library Users

    Can I still get books delivered to the North Mason area during the closure?

    Yes. Place holds online through trl.org, and choose pickup at the temporary Mason Transit location (25250 SR 3, Belfair) or at another open TRL branch if that’s more convenient for you.

    What if I have overdue items or fines?

    Timberland Regional Library eliminated fines for most materials years ago. Return items to the temporary location or any open TRL branch — no late fees for standard items.

    I have a young child — is the temporary location good for storytime or kids’ programs?

    The temporary location is a smaller space and not set up for programming in the same way the main library is. Check trl.org/locations/north-mason/ for any scheduled children’s programs at the temporary location. Full family programming will resume at the renovated library when it reopens.

    Can I walk to the Theler Wetlands from the Salmon Center visitor center?

    Yes — the PNW Salmon Center at 600 NE Roessel Rd is the gateway to the Theler Wetlands trail system. The trails are free, open to the public, and one of the best birding and walking spots in North Mason. Summer 2026 construction will add the new boardwalk loop.

    Is the Discover Pass required for the Theler Wetlands?

    The Mary E. Theler Wetlands is managed by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (PNW Salmon Center), not Washington State Parks. There is no Discover Pass required to access the Theler Wetlands trail system.

    Related from Belfair Bugle: Belfair library remodel and new Chamber visitor center at Theler — full story | Community spotlight: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park at Belfair

  • Belfair Business Beat: Sweetwater Creek Ribbon Cutting April 10, Industrial Development on the Horizon

    Belfair Business Beat: Sweetwater Creek Ribbon Cutting April 10, Industrial Development on the Horizon

    Something new is opening in Belfair this week — and it’s been a long time coming.

    The Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park holds its official ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m., hosted by the North Mason Chamber of Commerce. The park sits just off Highway 3, right next to Belfair Elementary School and across from the Theler Wetlands.

    The Sweetwater Creek project was developed through a partnership between the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (PNW Salmon Center) and the Port of Allyn. It features the only freshwater ADA-accessible fishing access in Mason County, along with new bridges, trails, a nature playground built from natural materials like boulders and logs, native plant installations, solar panels, and a small hydropower system. It’s free and open to the public — and opened March 31.

    • Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
    • Location: Next to Belfair Elementary School, across Hwy 3 from Mary E. Theler Wetlands
    • Developer: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group + Port of Allyn
    • Admission: Free

    Also on the radar: Puget Sound West Industrial Development at 25400 SR-3 — a Class A industrial project at the Mason/Kitsap county line with up to 1.4 million square feet planned. Watch for leasing news.

  • Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens in Belfair — Ribbon Cutting April 10

    Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens in Belfair — Ribbon Cutting April 10

    Something special is happening right in the heart of Belfair — and if you’ve driven past Belfair Elementary on Highway 3, you may have already spotted it. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is opening its gates, and the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m.

    This isn’t just another park. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is a years-in-the-making community vision brought to life by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (also known as the PNW Salmon Center, right off NE Roessel Road in Belfair). Tucked just across Highway 3 from the Theler Wetlands, the park features the only freshwater ADA fishing access in all of Mason County — a real game-changer for families and anglers of all abilities.

    The park also includes native plant gardens, a nature playground, solar panels, and interpretive trails connecting people to the salmon that make Hood Canal country so special. It officially opened to the public on March 31 and is free and open to all.

    The Salmon Center has been a quiet pillar of North Mason life for years — running Salmon in the Classroom, hosting story-time events for babies at their Belfair campus, and stewarding Hood Canal’s watershed one stream at a time. This park is their love letter to Belfair, and the whole community is invited to the celebration Thursday.

    Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
    Location: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park, next to Belfair Elementary, across Hwy 3 from Mary E. Theler Wetlands
    Hosted by: North Mason Chamber of Commerce — Free and open to the public

  • Belfair Business Pulse: Library Remodel Nearly Done, Chamber Opens New Visitor Center — Belfair Bugle

    Belfair Business Pulse: Library Remodel Nearly Done, Chamber Opens New Visitor Center — Belfair Bugle

    Big things are happening in Belfair — and your library is getting a fresh start.

    The North Mason Timberland Library remodel is nearly done and coming in under budget. The library closed back in January for a full interior refresh — new paint, flooring, furniture, and a completely reimagined children’s area designed to be more welcoming for families. Timberland Regional Library reports the project is on track to reopen this spring, likely by May or June. In the meantime, hold pickups, printing, and a small browsing collection are still available at the Mason Transit Authority building off the roundabout on SR 3 (25250 SR 3, Belfair, Tue–Fri 10am–6pm).

    Meanwhile, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is setting up a brand-new visitor center at the Salmon Center near the Theler Wetlands — a beautiful spot that showcases exactly what makes North Mason special. The Chamber received $45,000 in funding this year to make it happen, and plans to have part-time staff there five days a week. If you haven’t visited the Salmon Center yet, you’ll have another great reason to soon.

    Business & Community Updates

    • North Mason Timberland Library (23081 NE SR 3, Belfair): Remodel nearly complete, under budget. Reopening expected May or June 2026. Temporary services at Mason Transit Authority building (25250 SR 3, Tue–Fri 10am–6pm).
    • North Mason Chamber Visitor Center: Moving to PNW Salmon Center, 600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair. $45,000 in 2026 funding secured. Part-time staffing planned noon–5pm, five days/week.

    Sources: Mason County Journal (April 2 and March 19, 2026), Timberland Regional Library, North Mason Chamber of Commerce

  • Community Spotlight: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens — Ribbon Cutting April 10 — Belfair Bugle

    Community Spotlight: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens — Ribbon Cutting April 10 — Belfair Bugle

    Something special is happening right in the heart of Belfair this week — and if you’ve driven past Belfair Elementary on Highway 3, you may have already spotted it. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is opening its gates, and the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m. to mark the moment.

    This isn’t just another park. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is a years-in-the-making community vision brought to life by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (also known as the PNW Salmon Center, right off NE Roessel Road in Belfair). Tucked just across Highway 3 from the Theler Wetlands, the park features the only freshwater ADA fishing access in all of Mason County — a real game-changer for families and anglers of all abilities. Plans also include native plant gardens, a nature playground, solar panels, and interpretive trails connecting people to the salmon that make Hood Canal country so special.

    The Salmon Center has been a quiet pillar of North Mason life for years — running Salmon in the Classroom, hosting story-time events for families at their Belfair campus, and stewarding Hood Canal’s watershed one stream at a time. This park is their love letter to Belfair, and the whole community is invited to the celebration Thursday.

    Park Details

    • Location: Next to Belfair Elementary School, across Highway 3 from Theler Wetlands
    • Operated by: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group / PNW Salmon Center (600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair)
    • Features: Only freshwater ADA fishing access in Mason County, native plant gardens, nature playground, solar panels, interpretive trails
    • Admission: Free and open to the public
    • Ribbon Cutting: April 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM — hosted by North Mason Chamber of Commerce

    If you’re proud of what North Mason is building — come out April 10, shake some hands, and see what your neighbors have been working on. This is what community looks like.

    Sources: PNW Salmon Center (pnwsalmoncenter.org), Mason County Journal, North Mason Chamber of Commerce