When a car lost a bumper driving through the parking-lot entrance of Flathead High School, it was evident poor drainage was creating a serious road hazard.

School trustees on Tuesday approved a recommendation to not only to improve drainage but also add approximately 21 diagonal spaces to the east parking lot in front of the school primarily used as a bus-loading zone.

The project will improve drainage and work toward fulfilling an agreement between the school district and a west-side neighborhood group to add at least 25 parking spaces as part of a broader proposed parking district. 

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau and Assistant Superintendent Dan Zorn pointed out other areas that could potentially create a total of roughly 30 parking spaces.

“[Space is available] on the north side of the vocational building — we figure six to eight spots — and right behind the gym that is now a trash can area there because of food service. [Since] food service is not there any more, we’re good to go,” Zorn said.

The motivation behind the project is drainage, Flatau said. 

The problem with the area is that it is relatively flat and there is no existing stormwater infrastructure, according to a preliminary survey by engineering firm Morrison-Maierle. Two signs on raised concrete pads at the school entrance on Seventh Street West are worsening the drainage problem. Stormwater has been accumulating between the signs that were installed two years ago. 

This poses a particular problem in the winter when water freezes and thaws, creating large holes in the ice and leading to maintenance problems and causing damage to vehicles, according to Tom Heinecke of Morrison-Maierle.

To mitigate the problems, manholes, a catch basin and a mechanical device to treat stormwater will be installed. A new storm pipe will be installed along the affected area along Eighth Street West where it will connect to an existing manhole on Fifth Avenue West and Eighth Street West.

Ongoing maintenance will involve scooping out sediment that settles to the bottom of the mechanical storm water treatment device.

The project is estimated to cost $270,000. 

Limited money remaining from a building reserve fund will pay for the project.

Board Chairman Joe Brenneman expressed disappointment that state grants weren’t sought to help fund the project.

“I know the state has a real interest with stormwater issues and has money available, and I think this would have been a project that would likely have qualified,” Brenneman said.

Trustees had considered other alternatives to deal with drainage. One would have involved regrading pavement and adding more parking for $300,000. The higher cost was not the issue during discussion, but that the additional parking spaces would have replaced part of a grassy area that contains a school garden. 

Trading the island of green space for parking has been a point of contention during discussions about parking congestion around the school.

“We didn’t want to encroach upon that green space. We know there’s a lot of pressure, lots of options in regard to parking,” Flatau said. 

Zorn later added, “But I will tell you as long as that green space is there, there are people in the neighborhood that will not be happy because they see that as additional parking availability that would relieve pressure from their neighborhood.”

Trustees Steve Davis and Jeremy Reed agreed that the school should take advantage of adding as many parking spaces as possible to relieve parking congestion. Reed said it was the district’s responsibility to do so. Davis was concerned that the district would duplicate efforts down the road if the green space had to be converted to parking anyway.

“My only worry is if we don’t do that, we’ll have to do this again because we haven’t added enough parking,” Davis said. “It’s not going to get any better.”

Reed and Davis tried to pass a motion for more parking, but were voted down.

“There is so much concrete around that place that the little bit of green really helps out with these kids,” trustee Mary Ruby said. “I think psychologically it helps kids and I’m willing to forgo those extra spaces.”

Heinecke said that green space could be converted to parking in the future. The only duplicated efforts and associated costs would be mobilization and demobilization of equipment.

Heinecke estimates bids will be opened at a June 9 board meeting and work will begin when school gets out for summer break.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].