An overflow crowd of mostly seniors attended a Flathead County commissioners workshop Wednesday on a proposed new fairgrounds building.

Two alternatives have been proposed: combining the Agency on Aging and extension service (Option A) or adding in the Kalispell Senior Center (Option B) in the proposed new building.

Option A was estimated to cost $1,455,529 and Option B was projected at $1,780,637.

Either option would take the form of a new metal building on the north end of the fairgrounds with a connection to the Trade Center mechanical/wstorage area and parking.

Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell, interim director of the Agency on Aging, described the need to solve crowding and numerous hazards at the current Agency on Aging facility on Kelly Road.

With projections of a 220 percent growth in the Flathead Valley’s over-65 population by 2030, he said the former auction house could not handle the coming “silver tsunami.”

Campbell detailed the growth of the nutrition program that he called the core of the Agency on Aging. He foresees demand nearly doubling at just the Kelly Road and Kalispell Senior Center meal sites.

“The Kelly Road location was intended, from what I gather, as a short-term space,”  he said.

Campbell said outdoor freezers create safety concerns along with narrow kitchen aisles, an overloaded electrical system, floors with trip hazards and a roof that dumps snow on public areas.

“Our location on Kelly Road is disconnected from where the senior population is,” Campbell said. “Granted, there is not one magic spot.”

County extension agents Tammy Walker and Pat McGlynn spoke about their need for education, training and storage space. Both said that combining youths with older adults benefits both.

“I like that as an educator,” said Walker, who handles 4-H.   

They endorsed the fairgrounds location as perfect for 4-H and centrally located for extension service agriculture/horticulture activities.

Campbell said combining the Agency on Aging and extension service at the fairgrounds provides a central location to senior and extension populations with access by walking, bus and auto and the capacity to handle large crowds and bus and truck deliveries.

“The fairgrounds is really about teaching and learning,” he said. “This is a nice fit in that direction.”

Campbell said several options were considered with an eye to low cost for county taxpayers, long-term value, the growth of the senior population and flexibility of space to serve many different needs with one investment. Michael Absalonson of Architects Design Group discussed the two options he helped develop with donated time.

“The critical issues are cost, obviously — they always are — and the ability to combine users in a flexible way within the project,” he said. “The project will be a metal building meeting all the local codes that are necessary.”

Option A would provide 11,431 square feet for extension service offices, storage and workstations along with the Agency on Aging offices, kitchen, storage, loading areas, inside freezers, common conference room and dining area to serve up to 100.

Reusing most of the existing kitchen equipment, construction costs total an estimated $1,455,529.

Campbell introduced Option B as including the Kalispell Senior Center now located in a county-owned former church on Second Avenue West.

“They could bring a very key programming element to this — the combination of the senior services,” Campbell said.

Absalonson said Option B adds more parking, an office and an art classroom. It also had computer stations, a separate entrance and shared areas.

“Even more importantly, we’ll provide a multi-use room for the seniors for any use they want to have, for dance space and that type of thing,”  he said. “I think the neat thing about this is the division between the AOA and the seniors area is a movable wall or movable partition.”

Campbell said that increases the overall space to 15,000 square feet. He said those additions take construction costs to $1,780,637 plus a 5 percent contingency.

Sandy Carlson, county finance director, reviewed cost comparisons of renting the Agency on Aging facility versus owning a building.

“They aren’t that far off from each other,” she said.  “And so, in my opinion, in some respects, it’s a wash.”

Campbell described the Kalispell Senior Center as a nonprofit organization occupying a 96-year-old building. Jim Pearson, chairman of the senior center board, joined Campbell in telling the commissioners that he liked the idea of the extension service in the same building with the Agency on Aging.

“If we could be a part of that, if it could work out for us, I think that would be great for the seniors with all they have to offer,” he said.

Pearson said the center deals with a lot of maintenance and repairs in the old building and some rentals on the property that are falling apart. He said the building has steep ramps and remote bathrooms as well as plumbing, mechanical and roof issues.

“It makes sense to me, if we could get enough space, I think we could possibly get the votes from our association to do the move,” he said.

County Commissioner Dale Lauman said the time to build is now and he said he thinks the county could pay for it without going to the taxpayers. He pointed out the county pays more than $4,000 a month in rent.

“I think the return on investment is here,” he said. “I think the benefit is here.”

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Cal Scott said they hadn’t had time to review the proposal so they didn’t offer opinions yet.

No date was set for future consideration of the proposal.

Lauman called the benefits to youths, senior citizens and the fairgrounds a wonderful mix. He added that the Kalispell Senior Center and Agency on Aging buildings are American Disabilities Act compliant and need to be.

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Cal Scott said they hadn’t had time to review the proposal so they didn’t offer opinions yet. No date was set for future consideration of the proposal.

He said the move would make it easier to manage the program, draw more seniors, improve senior wellness and offer more opportunities. He said he can’t speak for the association but more members seem to be coming around to see the advantages.

Campbell said combining the programs makes sense and fits into the fairgrounds’ long-term plans by providing infrastructure in the north area.

“The key to a successful fairgrounds is how you connect back into the community,” he said. “This builds and establishes long-term connections with not only senior populations, youth populations but also opens the door to so many different aspects.”

He said the fair board was open to this idea and sees the long-term benefits.

County Commissioner Dale Lauman said the time to build is now and he said he thinks the county could pay for it without going to the taxpayers. He pointed out the county pays more than $4,000 a month in rent.

“I think the return on investment is here,” he said. “I think the benefit is here.”

Lauman called the benefits to youths, senior citizens and the fairgrounds a wonderful mix. He added that the Kalispell Senior Center and Agency on Aging buildings are American Disabilities Act compliant and need to be.

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Cal Scott said they hadn’t had time to review the proposal so they didn’t offer opinions yet. No date was set for future consideration of the proposal.