by Anita John, Hamilton
The Ravalli County Park Board & County Commissioners meeting is considering the idea that sounds less like responsible planning and more like a pep rally for a taxpayer-funded gymnasium nobody was asking for in the first place.
Apparently, the newest obsession is building a giant indoor palace where people can sit under fluorescent lights staring at scoreboards while the Bitterroot Valley’s actual beauty sits outside ignored. Because nothing says “quality of life” like more concrete, more asphalt, more maintenance bills, and another giant building taxpayers get chained to forever.
Here’s the question nobody seems eager to answer: who pays for this kingdom of squeaky sneakers and folding bleachers? Out-of-County or non-profit organization money leaving taxpayers with the bill. Property owners and working families already getting hammered with rising taxes, utilities, insurance, and grocery bills. Once the ribbon-cutting, photo ops are over; the bills never stop. Electricity, heating, repair, staffing, insurance, parking lot maintenance, water, bathrooms, security. Every year taxpayers get handed the tab like an unwanted cafeteria lunch bill.
And for what?
A massive indoor gym project needing 3–5+ acres, parking lots, bathrooms, bleachers, and endless upkeep while the county has ONE fenced dog park where families can take their pets.
Want to know what people actually use? Outdoor spaces like dog parks, walking paths, picnic areas, historic signs, trees, open green space where kids can move around and play instead of sitting inside glued to televisions, tablets, phones, and gaming systems. Places where families can actually enjoy their Montana community.
Meanwhile, existing facilities already sit underused. Tennis courts, pickleball courts, undeveloped parks. Yet somehow the answer from the county’s social committee is always: “Let’s build another monument project taxpayers maintain forever.”
The problem nobody wants to say out loud: what happens to events already struggling for space? Car shows, outdoor gatherings, community events, and agricultural activities that need open areas; not giant buildings swallowing acreage, parking, and valley views.
Meanwhile, regular taxpayers are left outside wondering why nobody thought a dog park, expanded outdoor recreation, historical walking areas, shaded green space, or preserving open land might serve more people at a fraction of the long-term cost.
Whose boondoggle is this? And who gets stuck paying for it in the end? And, who’s getting rich off of the so-called “non-profit” excursion? While taxpayers fit the bill. Also, what it does to property values.
It’s time for Ravalli County residents to speak out. Call the Park Board and say NO to the gym and YES to outdoor recreation, open space, and a fenced dog park.
Big Corral Park was never meant to be a gymnastic complex, but a simple public open land park.
HHill says
I favor a dog park and benches to sit on and maybe picnic tables.