Chinook Friends of Pool and Park Aiming to Secure Funds in Election

CHINOOK, Mont. (NMB) – This Wednesday, February 2nd at 3 PM, the Blaine County Commissioners will be holding a public hearing.

On the agenda is a scheduled vote on a resolution to create a “Chinook Recreation District” to impose a bond.

Heather DePriest is the Chair of the Chinook Pool and Park Foundation and says if approved by voters, the measure would provide $2 million of the $3.2 million needed for funding their project to rehabilitate the aging Sweet Park and Chinook Pool.

“If we are able to get this bond passed, we will be able to start construction on the project in the fall of 2022. Essentially, the final portion of our project is to include two tower water slides. Obviously, those are kind of a dream for the organization, so we are aware of that, those are not included in the bond. Should we have the bond pass, we will be able to fundraise through grant funding and matching funds for the potential to add those waterslides in. So it’s something that we’re going to prepare for, plan for. And then once that is something we have enough money raised for, we’ll add those in at a later date.”

The District, if created, would include Blaine County precincts 10, 11 and 13, also known as the Chinook, North Chinook and South Chinook precincts.

“Taxpayers will be (be assessed) approximately $51.60 annually, or $25.80 each half when they pay their taxes should this pass. And we are really hopeful that the community will come to our outreach events.”

Outreach will take place at 7 PM on Thursday, February 3rd at 7 PM on Facebook Live; Tuesday, February 15th at 7 PM via Zoom; and Sunday, February 20th at 2 PM at the Chinook Senior Center.

“Come to our meetings, here what we have to say,” says DePriest. “Just learn about our project and how it can definitely improve the communities.”

The expectation is for the initiative to be on the ballot for the May 3rd election, the same election date for Fire, Water, Sewer and School Districts.

The Foundation is a non-profit with the goal of improving the Chinook Pool and Sweet Park.