Sperry contract awarded to Great Falls firm

The National Park Service Tuesday announced the award of a $4.08 million contract to Dick Anderson Construction out of Great Falls to begin rebuilding the historic Sperry Chalet Dormitory in Glacier National Park. The chalet was gutted Aug. 31 2017 during the Sprague Fire that burned thousands of acres in the park. Construction will be completed in two phases, beginning this summer and continuing into 2019.

The Park Service expects work this year will begin in early July, and continue through mid-fall, weather permitting.

The first phase of the project will include permanent building stabilization, including roofing and interior seismic walls. The work will complement Phase 2, scheduled for the summer of 2019, and provide additional protection as the chalet faces wind and heavy snow next winter.

The initial construction phase will be funded primarily with federal dollars. Subsequent project phases will be funded with a $1.2 million property insurance reimbursement, privately solicited donations from the Glacier National Park Conservancy, and additional federal funds.

Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke recently asked Congress for a $12 million appropriation for the chalet.

Rebuilding of the Sperry Chalet on its original site was made possible because of the quick response and financial support of the Glacier Conservancy immediately after the fire. The Conservancy raised $200,000 for emergency stabilization and preservation of the chalet’s stone masonry walls before winter set in. The response also reduced subsequent project costs.

“The outpouring of support for this project has been inspiring,” said Doug Mitchell, Executive Director of the Glacier National Park Conservancy. “We’re honored to help provide private, philanthropic support for this historic project.”

The Conservancy’s goal is to raise $2 million toward rebuilding the chalet to its historic form.

“The fact that we are here today to announce the award for Phase I of the Sperry rebuild speaks to the power of the Glacier community and partnership. Throughout our design process, we heard from visitors around the world about the significance of the Sperry Chalet visitor experience,” Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said. “I would like thank everyone who provided feedback and ideas about how we preserve that experience for the next 100 years. The award of the Phase I construction contract to Dick Anderson Construction puts us a long way towards that goal.”