Nucleus Avenue could see two new sports bars in coming months

Columbia Falls could soon have two sports bars.

A group of businessmen are proposing a sports bar on Nucleus Avenue where the New Attitude Salon is today, just to the south of North Fork Pizza.

The Columbia Falls City-County planning board is expected to take up the application for a conditional use permit for the establishment at its March 14 meeting at 6:30 p.m.

J & L Golf, Levi LaPrath and Jarred Griffis are collectively asking for a casino of up to 20 gaming machines.

The property is zoned CB-4 (Central Business) District and the zoning ordinance requires a conditional use permit for new casinos, while bars and restaurants are already permitted uses under the zoning.

LaPrath said the new establishment will be called Wolf Creek Casino and will include a host of televisions for viewing games. They will only serve beer and wine, with four to six local and domestic beers on tap as well as a selection of canned beers as well.

They will not be serving food.

LaPrath and his partners are also converting the former Sears store in Kalispell to a sports bar with four golf simulators. But he noted that building is much bigger — 7,600 square feet as opposed to the 1,900 square feet in Columbia Falls.

LaPrath said they plan on starting work in April and hope to be open by June.

Separately, developer Mick Ruis has long planned a new sports bar and steak house restaurant for his new building on Nucleus Avenue that’s currently under construction. Ruis said earlier this week it has a target opening of May 1.

People interested in commenting on the conditional use permit can view the application at: https://www.cityofcolumbiafalls.org/meetings.

Details on how to comment are included in the packet. City staff note the comment email has changed.