HELENA — The nonprofit Helena Regional Sports Association (HRSA) recently received $47,500 to pay for a new sustainability study for a proposed regional indoor athletic facility.
HRSA has been working on the idea since 2015 and began working with the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds on possible sites for the complex in the spring.
Authors, athletes and advocates such as HRSA board member Paul Landes say the need for such facilities is clear.
“There are no swimming facilities here for competitive swimmers and the team has been practicing in the basement of the building this winter.It is true that there is a lack of facilities, but here we have a facility that meets all of these needs. “If we have one, we’re going to build a vibrant community,” Lands said.
HRSA’s vision includes not only a competitive aquatics facility, but also hard courts to support sports such as basketball and pickleball, an indoor lawn for sports such as soccer, and even 80,000 square feet for rodeos and concerts. Also includes an arena.
This facility is called ARC.
This vision has the support of Kevin Tenney, manager of the Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds.
“I had a vision of Fairgrounds moving forward, and when Paul and Heather came to me, I saw a very good game,” Tenney says.
Tenney said something like the ARC could help evolve and expand the role of fairgrounds in communities and keep them at the center of community activity for years to come. Masu.
We are busy every day of the year. Our facilities are utilized to the fullest. We don’t have much room to grow. This gives us a lot of room to grow. So not only does it help the amusement park, but it’s also attractive to Helena,” says Tenney.
He explained that with a facility like the ARC, the venue could potentially host state championships in sports such as basketball and volleyball.
HRSA Director Heather Graham believes there are benefits beyond just helping the physical health of the community.
“Look at what we can do with this. I think one of the great things about this project is that it addresses some of the most serious problems in Montana.”
Graham cited Montana’s high suicide and drowning rates. She says ARCs can address these issues by improving quality of life and providing a regular space for children to learn to swim.
“People go to beautiful lakes and rivers, but they don’t know how to swim. Having the right pool space can help with that,” Graham says.
To continue discussions, HRSA will be meeting this week and next with a variety of stakeholders who could benefit from the capabilities included in the ARC.
A new sustainability and economic study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, along with a community-wide public meeting.Helena City Commission approved $47,500 in federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds for sustainability studies
Lewis and Clark County commissioners are expected to approve putting the funding measure on voters’ ballots.
Fairgrounds Manager Kevin Tenney stressed that this is just an idea at this point and they want to make sure the ideas presented to commissioners are sustainable and benefit the entire community.
HRSA does not currently have an estimated cost for ARC, but a 2017 study by the group estimated that this type of project would cost between $20 million and $46 million. .
For more information about HRSA and ARC’s plans, visit the Helena Area Sports Association website.