Thompson Falls rejects skate park proposal

The Thompson Falls Council chambers were packed for the April city council meeting, with standing room only as around 30 residents showed up to weigh in on the proposed skate park.

The project has stirred up plenty of attention —and debate — on social media, drawing both strong support and vocal opposition. 

In a letter read by Mayor Rusti Leivestad, she said, “The skate park issue was tabled at the March meeting because the council did not have enough information. Public opinion seemed evenly divided. I hear the social media has also had its share of opinions. Since the City’s business is not conducted on social media, those are just that, opinions pro and con.” 

Leivestad continued, “After the March meeting, I met with Sunday Dutro (advocate for the skate park) we discussed many aspects of her proposal.” 

Leivestad referenced, to Dutro, a feasibility study done in 2017 that explained how a recreation district is a logical method of dealing with a project like this. A recreation district is similar to  school and library districts which, are voted on by the local residents. 

Leivestad continued, “The result of this research suggests that this is not a city decision to make for an area that included participation from outside of city jurisdiction. If this skate park is to be, the larger population base would logically be involved in the formation and management of the recreation district. This would bet the voters decide and be self-governing.” 

Many individuals shared their opinions — both in support of and against the proposed skate park. Several comments during the meeting raised concerns about the potential for increased criminal activity and drug use in the area. 

County Commissioner Dan Rowan also voiced his apprehension, referring to a letter from Thompson Falls Public Works Director Neil Harnett, who warned that the park could place additional strain on the department’s resources. 

“In my opinion, taking on a new project, of this significance, would stretch our resources out even further than they already are and therefore take away from our ability to safely and effectively manage the tasks associated with the maintenance and upkeep of our existing projects,” Harnett wrote. 

He suggested the council focus on improving existing parks instead of adding a new project. 

Council member Raoul Ribeiro commented that he liked the idea of creating a recreational district.

“We still don’t have a lot of answers. We don’t have answers to the cost and the size. Have some of the funding been secured? Until we get some more answers, I am not ready to vote on that.” 

After nearly an hour of public comment during the evening's meeting, the City Council voted to reject the proposed skate park with five to one vote against going forward with the skate park project. 

During the "new business" portion of the meeting, council members approved water adjustment reimbursements for leaks at two addresses, totaling $147.30 and $71.10. 

The council also approved the renewal of the preschool rental lease at the Community Center with school owner Krystal Park. 

Brady Adams, chief operating officer of Intermountain Infrastructure Group — a fiber optics company — presented a proposal to run new fiber optic cable through Thompson Falls. The initial route would involve burying cable along Haley Avenue. Adams also mentioned the possibility of using existing Northwestern Energy power poles for additional lines. He expressed a desire to begin construction as soon as possible, with a targeted completion date in May. 

Council members authorized payments for Phases 1 & 2 and Phases 3 & 4 for the sewer project. An additional payment of $57,847 was approved for the water project.  

It’s been a busy month for Leivestad. She attended various meetings, including the Planning Board meeting for the Growth Policy. She also approved two aggregations related to the sewer project (Phases 3 & 4) and participated in a team meeting focused on closing out Phases 1 & 2. Additionally, she worked on planning for the upcoming Beautification Days and spent time with a kindergarten class at Thompson Falls Elementary.

    Sunday Dutro Sauter advocates for the skate park the Thompson Falls City Council meeting. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)