A city agency took a step this week to study the possibility of building a recreational ribbon for ice skating and other uses in Caras Park in downtown Missoula.
The 2020 North Riverside Parks and Trails Master Plan, developed with public input, recommended a recreational facility for the park that would be flexible enough for year-round use, including outdoor ice skating. The plan also called for space that could be used for an outdoor cafe, a children’s play area, fire pits and food or holiday markets. The idea is to encourage more winter use at Caras Park and give people more activities.
The Missoula Redevelopment Agency’s board of commissioners on Thursday voted to issue a Request for Proposals, seeking a team to prepare an in-depth feasibility study to examine what would be needed to create the facility and make it successful.
“The consultant team will be expected to prepare a report outlining criteria such as site/space requirements, infrastructure requirements, market demands, magnitude of capital costs and operational costs, and funding opportunities,” said Annette Marchesseault, a senior redevelopment project manager with the city, in a memo to the board. “The consultant team also will be tasked with identifying feasible alternatives for an outdoor multi-season recreational facility in Caras Park, if the concept shown in the master plan is not feasible.”
The MRA’s Community Investment Program budget includes up to $150,000 this fiscal year to evaluate the feasibility of the recreational ice ribbon. The MRA staff will select a preferred consulting team this fall and present a professional services agreement to the board for approval this winter.
One public commenter, who identified herself as Dara Wilson, was opposed to the motion to issue a Request for Proposals.
She said a downtown ice rink is not needed.
“Glacier Ice Rink has been asking for money for a long time for people who want to skate,” Wilson said.
She also said the downtown ice ribbon in Spokane is “not used very much,” but didn’t present evidence. Wilson said the money for a Missoula ice ribbon should go to other uses.
But the board voted unanimously to proceed with the motion.
Board member Ruth Reineking said that the feasibility study will determine what infrastructure would be needed for the facility, given “warming winters.”
“I’m very interested in the feasibility of it,” Reineking said.
David Erickson is the business reporter for the Missoulian.
You must be logged in to react.
Click any reaction to login.
Love
0
Funny
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0
The business news you need
Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
David Erickson
Business Reporter
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don’t have an account? Sign Up Today