HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Beaver Creek Park Superintendent Chad Edgar and local architect Becki Miller met with the Hill County Commission on Monday to discuss the latest on the project to stabilize Beaver Creek Lodge.
Based off an estimate from January, the project is expected to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000. An additional project to make the roof pitched would cost about $55,000, but they are not pursuing that at this time, as it is not “absolutely necessary.”
Edgar says they did not receive the federal tourism grant they applied for that would have provided the needed funds, so they are working on finding other ways to obtain funding.
According to Miller and Edgar, there is about $60,000 set aside for the project in the Park’s Capital Improvements Fund, while Friends of Beaver Creek Park has set aside about $60,000, and is continuing to raise additional funds through their raffle.
Commissioner Mark Peterson said they back the project “100 percent,” and will look closely for a way to help fund the project. Potential options include using ARPA funds that end up going unspent, or applying for a state tourism grant. Peterson said at the meeting that he was unable to make a funding commitment because Commissioner Diane McLean was not at the meeting, and he would consult with her before promising anything
Miller says she is nearly finished with architectural drawings, but they need to ensure a viable funding source before going out for bid. If funding is secured, the project could still be completed this fall, but that is subject to change.
The lodge was temporarily stabilized last summer, but improvements are needed for a more permanent fix.
In addition, the roof was damaged recently by a wind storm. Repairs are being covered by insurance, but the project may not take place until after the summer. This means there will continue to be a clear plastic tarp on the roof in the months to come.
