Group wants sports complex at Vetville

A Columbia Falls group would like to transform a 16-acre Flathead County park into a sports complex.

The undeveloped park is just north of the railroad tracks in the Vetville for Vets subdivision. The property is overgrown and full of deadfall.

The county previously offered to give the park to the city of Columbia Falls, but the city decided against accepting it.

Now, the Columbia Falls Youth Softball Association is working on a plan to develop a sports complex on the property.

Kathy Price, president, of the nonprofit group, said their group is still very much in the planning phases of creating a concept that would allow the park to be used year round.

“We’ve approached the county with plans,” she said.

Price said preliminary plans include an ice-skating rink, cross-country skiing route, soccer and softball fields, concession area, parking and playground equipment. The current sledding hill would be maintained.

She said the softball association is looking to partner with other groups to pay for the cost of development.

The county Park Board held a public meeting Oct. 4 on the proposal.

Rob Allen, who lives near the park site, said he has concerns with traffic issues in the area. Traffic already backs up before and after school at the Second Avenue West North railroad crossing, he noted.

“There’s no lighting in this area,” he said. “It can’t handle the traffic.”

The Park Board still has to approve the project, which would set up a long-term lease between the county and the group. The Flathead County Conservation District and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation must also approve it.