With the fresh salt air of Shilshole Bay outside their windows, the Ballard Elks Lodge will soon reap the benefits of a waterfront view as they start building a 470 square foot deck on the south side of their building.

"This will be the only Elk Lodge on the west coast with a deck," said Ballard Elks Deck Committee Secretary Bill Chandler.

With the club owning their waterfront home, the deck will provide room for five tables accessed through the Elks lounge.

The club's 585 members donated $60,000 for the project. Most of the money and time went into plans, licenses, land use permits, an architect, lawyers and engineers. The actual cost to build the deck is $25,000. PTI Construction, owned by member John Goodman, a four generation Ballardite, will do the work.

Goodman provided $5,000 of his own money and some of his company's services to construct the deck.

"I think it will draw a younger crowd. It should be a draw," said the club's Exalted Ruler, Patrick Mullen.

Gislason wanted to point out a misconception that the club is only open to men. Women are members too.

The club is grooming a female member, Pat Bogucki, to become a future exalted ruler. She would be the first woman to assume the Ballard Elks top leadership position.