City of Kalama Parks & Recreation and Community Building

11/13/2025

Complete the survey!

What's Next for the Kalama Community Building?
The Kalama Community Building’s annual expenditure is approximately $60K, and its revenues are projected to be $24K (for 2025), so the General Fund is subsidizing about $3K per month to keep the building open/operational. The building is also in need of significant capital repairs. https://5il.co/3b4la The City Council requested an advisory vote because they saw it as the best way to get accurate feedback from the largest sample size of Kalama’s city residents.
City staff have taken advantage of the opportunity to work with a group of students from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance to structure a public engagement process in Kalama to identify possible valuable uses for the Community Building. This group has been a wonderful resource with fresh eyes and inclusive ideas. Part of the engagement portion of this project is to provide a survey to the community asking what the majority of the taxpayers would like to see.
The goal is to hear from the public and provide the Council with options that create the highest value for the community on this property.
The City Council ultimately makes this policy decision and staff will gather public feedback in new ways to hear from “the many”, and not solely “the few”. To provide your input, complete the survey: https://www.cityofkalama.com/forms/kalama-community-building-what-next

Look for "in person" engagement opportunities (available in the next few weeks) at the Kalama Library and City Hall facilities. You will be able to bring your ideas and place them on the idea board! Thank you for your participation!

11/03/2025

November "Drum 4 Fun" classes are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-11am. Cost is $25 for all of November, and you can pay at City Hall, or online: https://tinyurl.com/yydsfh22 Please note class days are as follows: Tuesdays: Nov 4, 11, & 25
Thursdays: Nov 6th & 13th
Location: 216 Elm Street, Kalama, WA 98625

10/30/2025

The Kalama Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, November 10th, 2025 at 11am in the City Council Chambers at 320 N 1st Street. The change in schedule is due to the Veteran's Day holiday. Agenda and meeting information can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

09/22/2025

The October Drum 4 Fun Schedule is here, brought to you by Kalama Parks & Rec! Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-11am at the Community Building, 216 Elm Street! Register online: https://tinyurl.com/cua6rj35 Classes are $5 each-- buy all Tuesdays for $20, all Thursdays for $25 or all October classes for $45! October dates: 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, & 30th.

09/18/2025

A BIG “thank you” to all who joined us at last night’s Dance & Mingle event! We had a blast, and hope you did too! This showcase dance was performed by a few of the veteran dance class attendees. 💃🏻🕺🏽Interested in more dancing and fun? Don’t forget the Chief’s Caribbean Dinner will include dancing— it’s not too late to brush up on those skills! Sign up for Wednesday dance classes here: https://tinyurl.com/3b3u27by

09/03/2025

Kalama Parks & Rec Drum 4 Fun - September 2025 schedule: 10am-11am, Tuesdays & Thursdays for $45, or Tuesdays only: $25 (Sept. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th) or Thursdays only: $20 (Sept. 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th). Classes are held at the Kalama Community Building at 216 Elm Street. For more info, contact 360-673-4562 or [email protected].

07/30/2025

Join us for Kalama Parks and Rec August Dance Classes on Wednesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm @ the Kalama Community Building (216 Elm St). August classes include: 6th: Waltz, 13th: Salsa, 20th: American Tango, 27th: Bachata. This is for beginners! Each class is $20 or buy a punch card = 8 classes for $120 (a $5 discount per class) register at https://tinyurl.com/4jvzmmtz

07/22/2025

The August Drum 4 Fun schedule is here!

The August Drum 4 Fun schedule is here! Kalama Parks and Recreation Drum 4 Fun classes will be: Tuesdays only from 10am-11am, August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. All Tuesdays = $20.
Location: 216 Elm St, Kalama, WA
More info at: 360-673-4562 or [email protected]

07/22/2025

🌟 We need YOU, Kalama! 🌟
Looking for a way to get involved and make a difference in your community? We’ve got openings on two local committees and would love to have you on board!

🎡 Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
We’re looking for:
• 1 member who lives inside city limits
• 1 member who lives in the 98625 zip code but outside city limits
This group helps shape Kalama’s parks, trails, and recreation programs—and they meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:15pm.
📘 More info: https://library.municode.com/wa/kalama/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.56PAREADCO

💼 Kalama Salary Commission
This group reviews and sets salaries for elected officials. Must live inside city limits.
They typically meet just once per year, before budget season (around August or September).
📘 More info: https://library.municode.com/wa/kalama/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.08MACO_2.08.020MACOCO

These are volunteer roles, and your input matters!💪 Positions are open until filled. Questions? Contact [email protected] or 360-673-4561
📝 Apply here: https://www.cityofkalama.com/page/application-for-commissions-boards-and-committees

07/22/2025

Update 7/31/25: The City of Kalama is still seeking residents interested in serving on the official “For” and “Against” committees for the upcoming ballot measure regarding the Community Building.
We appreciate the community’s engagement and the many perspectives shared so far. We’re still looking for individuals willing to take the next step by helping craft the formal statements that will appear in the Cowlitz County Voters’ Pamphlet. Email [email protected] or call 360-673-4561 if you are willing to help!
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🗳️ Help Inform Kalama Voters!

The City of Kalama is seeking local residents to serve on the official "For" and "Against" committees for the upcoming Community Building ballot measure. This is an advisory vote to help guide City Council decisions regarding the Community Building. These committees will draft the arguments that appear in the Cowlitz County Voters’ Pamphlet.

✅ Are you passionate about preserving or repurposing the Community Building at 216 Elm Street?
✅ Do you want to help voters make an informed decision this November?

👉Express your interest by 5pm on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 (email [email protected], call, or notify at City Hall)
📄 Learn more about the ballot measure here: https://5il.co/3m9iv

"For" and "Against" committees consist of members of the public who commit to write a statement either in favor of or in opposition to a ballot measure. These appointed members must reside inside Kalama's city limits (although Kalama residents outside the city limits can help form the statement). Each committee is limited to 3 members, but the committee can have an unlimited number of people assist them in preparing statements.

The full Jurisdictional Manual for 2025 can be found here: https://5il.co/3maah

📬 Contact the City Clerk at [email protected] or 360-673-4561