Salish Point Committee plans dock renovation
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — The Salish Point Committee announced plans for rejuvenating the old city docks at a press conference on April 18. City of Polson park superintendent Karen Sargeant, manager of CSKT Wildland Recreation Program Lester Bigcrane, and division manager for CSKT Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Tom McDonald are all members of the committee and talked about the Salish Point Park project.
This spring the committee has closed the boat ramp at Sacajawea Park and is focusing its efforts on the old city dock. The dock had started to deteriorate, with the “T” end damaged in an ice storm and removed, Sargeant said. An individual crashed his boat into the dock causing damage. Finally the dock caught fire and the underside was burned. They plan to replace the old dock with a metal structure with aluminum grating instead of planks and steel piling, all of which will require less maintenance.
A gauging tower near the old city docks will be moved further west and remodeled, McDonald said. As well as the gauging tower, containing seismic equipment and a weather station, an interpretive kiosk and a classroom will be added so local school children can visit and talk about Flathead Lake. This structure will be built this summer with money from CSKT Safety of Dams Program money.
However, the coffers are about empty; and the committee plans to start fundraising for the dock. John Laimbeer brought a check for $10,000 from Polson Outdoor, Inc., to start the ball rolling. If people wish to donate, they can send or bring donations to Polson City Hall, 106 First Street E. For every $50 donated, they can take their receipt to the Crow’s Nest Gallery and receive an unframed Monte Dolack print. For questions about a donation, contact Sargeant at 249-5123 or 883-8206.
The committee was formed in 2002 and has three representatives from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and three City of Polson members, Sargeant said. The driving force behind Salish Point Park, the committee is doing a good job. The original cooperative agreement was signed in 2002 for four years. In 2006, the agreement was renewed for 25 years.
“The committee is seamless, fluid, dynamic and working very well,” Sargeant said.
The committee has accomplished a lot, too. Salish Point Park, along the lake shore between the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Sacajawea Park, boasts a boat ramp, sidewalk and seawall, east side fishing pier, a gravel beach, a grassy area for picnicking and enjoying Flathead Lake views, swim platforms, paths, parking lots, vault toilets and an irrigation system.
Funding has come from CSKT, the Salish Point Fund, the City of Polson, the Festival of the Lake, the Polson Rotary, Osprey International, and the Lower Flathead Valley Community Foundation.
The original city dock dates back to 1916 when steam ships came down from Kalispell, McDonald explained. A flour mill and a lumber mill were both located there. Much of the lumber mill was on pilings; and when it burned, the remnants settled into Flathead Lake.
Future plans include paving the west parking lot, a road from Kootenai Avenue, a switchback trail, and the possibility of an ampitheater.
