Plans for a Flathead County recreational facility are moving forward as supporters begin to explore funding options for the project.

Two years ago, county Parks and Recreation Director Jed Fisher began urging the commissioners to consider a self-sustaining athletic facility because of a diminishing amount of gymnasium time available throughout the county. At the time Fisher said the county’s adult and youth recreation programs were in “serious jeopardy” because of a lack of gym space at schools.

The commissioners set aside $1.5 million in the county’s capital improvement plan, with the stipulation another $1.5 million or so would be raised privately.

Fisher estimates the project will cost around $3.2 million. He envisions patterning the facility after the popular Warehouse in Spokane, a building with six basketball courts.

“I would like to build the gym in the next two years,” Fisher said Thursday.

An inaugural exploratory meeting of stakeholders was held Wednesday, with strong representation from area Rotary clubs.

Rotary’s youth basketball program has been hugely successful for 35 years in the Flathead Valley, giving hundreds of middle-schoolers a chance to play each year.

Alan Ruby, president-elect of Daybreak Rotary, said he recently visited with representatives from other area Rotary clubs and found they’re on board with the idea of a multi-use gymnasium.

“Jed’s vision is timely,” said Ruby, who attended the organizational meeting. “We’ve been talking about this for a number of years. This opportunity is coming at the right time.”

Ruby was one of the first coaches when Kalispell Rotary started the youth basketball program around 1980.

“This is a natural continuation of our mission, and there is strength in cooperation,” Ruby added.

Kim Thomas, an account coordinator with PayneWest Insurance who handles insurance needs for both Flathead County and School District 5, also attended the exploratory meeting with the goal of helping out with the project.

“I do believe in this project,” Thomas said. “I think the community needs it.”

Thomas has coached both girls and boys teams through Rotary. She acknowledged the lack of gymnasium space, noting that at times space isn’t available until 9 p.m.

Fisher said the organizational group will meet at 5:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month in the third-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell. A board of directors will be formed in the coming months.

“This group is committed to raising the money,” Fisher told the commissioners Thursday. “Stay tuned for some really good news.”

Fisher said the public-private partnership will evolve much like the successful Kidsports athletic complex on Kalispell’s north side. Rotary took a leadership role in raising money for Kidsports, including that facility’s Miracle Field for special-needs athletes.

A couple of potential sites for the county recreational facility have surfaced. The county-owned grass parking lot north of the county fairgrounds is one possibility, Fisher said. Davar Gardner has offered 10 acres in the Lower Valley area as another potential location.

Fisher said the group also will look at the old Walmart building in Evergreen, although the ceiling height may not make that feasible.

The county’s youth and adult recreation programs serve well over 3,000 county residents annually. Basketball, volleyball, T-ball and flag football are offered to children, while adults can tap into basketball, flag football and softball leagues.

Once constructed, the athletic facility would be self-sustaining, Fisher said. It would be pay to play.

The county gets about $160,000 a year from user fees.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.