New Recreation Center Updates and FAQ

Community tours are offered on Friday afternoons by appointment.  Call the Park and Recreation Office at 406-771-1265 to arrange your tour!

See DCIP Timeline below under Supporting Documents.  

• June 16 – Work Session presentation on DCIP proposal application. Commission concurs to submit.
• September 14 – Park Advisory Board met and approved the proposed land exchange with the School District for the 10 acres next to Seibel Soccer Park for 6 parcels within Kranz Park
• October 13 – City Commission awards contract to LPW/TD&H for design, permitting and construction management
• October 22 – Director Herrig meets with NC#4 to discuss the aquatics center application process, acceptance of the proposal and the selection process of LWP/TD&H.
• December 15 – Set the public hearing for the land exchange during Commission meeting. Public hearing set for January 19, 2020 
• January 5 – City Commission work session. Aim High/Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center update and location recommendation.
• January 11 – Park and Recreation Advisory Board approved the new location of Lions Park.
• January 19 – Commission conducted a public hearing and approved the land exchange of Kranz Park and 10 acre property next to Seibel Soccer Park.
• January 28 – NC#4 – Director Herrig provided an update of site selection of Lions Park to NC#4
• February 11 –NC#9 to accept the Aquatic facility location in Lions Park, introduce the Conditional Use Permit (CUP), administrative amended plat for Park Parcels, and the vacation of the right of way process. 
• March 23 – Planning Advisory Board/Zoning Commission -- Conditional Use Permit (CUP), administrative amended plat for Park Parcels, and the vacation of the right of way process. (See Pubic Notice Conditional Use Permit located at bottom of FAQ page.)
• April 20 - Set the public hearing for Resolution 10400, Approve a conditional use permit to allow an “Indoor Sports and Recreation” land use in the Parks and Open Space (POS) zoning district at the property addressed as 900 29th Street South. Adopt or Deny Resolution of Intent 10401, Intention to vacate 28th Street South between 8th Avenue South and 10th Avenue South, 9th Avenue South and 9th Alley South between 27th Street South and 29th Street South and 10th Alley South between 27th Street South and 28th Street South. 
• May 18 - Adopt or Deny Resolution 10400, Approving a conditional use permit to allow a “Indoor Sports and Recreation” land use in the Parks and Open Space (POS) zoning district at the property addressed as 900 29th Street South. Adopt or Deny Resolution 10402, Resolution to vacate 28th Street South between 8th Avenue South and 10th Avenue South, 9th Avenue South and 9th Alley South between 27th Street South and 29th Street South and 10th Alley South between 27th Street South and 28th Street 2 South; and a Non-Administrative plat to aggregate all associated parcels and the rights-of-way to be vacated. 

The short answer is yes. See the following for more specifics on the roof design:

• The roof design for the new aquatics center consists 75% of shed sloped roofs shedding towards a low slope roof (tapered insulation sloping to roof drains).
• This low slope roof in the center collects the water and drains it to subgrade stormwater piping, completely containing it. The roof assembly is of metal deck with R-30 continuous rigid thermal insulation, with cover board for roof protection and resiliency, and a single-ply membrane finish with 30-year warranty.
• The aesthetics of the roof design gives homage to the Air Force airplanes symbolizing “wings” with the roof forms.
• The ceiling below all the roofs is “exposed to structure” as in, there are no ceiling finishes below the roof assemblies, so the deck of the roof will be completely visible and easy to access.
• The middle low slope roof portion will provide platforms for air handler units for the building.

Reasons why a steep slope roof aka Gable roof is not being considered for the project:

• Gable roofs shed water and snow to the perimeter of the building along pedestrian walking paths, making it icy and wet, or dangerous due to snow fall.
• Gable roofs shed water and snow to the perimeter of the building along the building foundation, making the foundation susceptible to movement due to water infiltration. Great Falls is known for expansive soils so it is good practice to avoid water along foundations.
• Gable roofs are difficult to accomplish in large, expansive spaces, such as pools and gyms. Even at 3:12 roof slope, which is not very steep, the volume of space over an area that large is 22’ tall, verses 7’ of height in the shed roof system we’ve designed.
• Gable roof insulation systems are typically not as energy efficient as a low slope roof with insulation entirely above deck. In the assembly, we’ve designed the insulation is entirely continuous with no breaks. In gable roof assemblies, typically insulation is interrupted by roof framing, and special venting systems are needed for the roof finishes.
• The design described above will not expose the roof finish to the neighborhood, whereas Gable roofs would make it so that the metal roof finish would be very visible.
• The low slope roof provides a place for air handlers to be installed. Gable roofs do not have that area to install air handlers, therefore air handlers would have to be located on the ground, and ducts would be exposed as they route to the building. That would not be appropriate for a park with large amounts of patrons.
• Proper design and construction can alleviate the issue, Gable roofs often have issues with ice damming and gutter damage, which can present significant water damage within the building.

The Great Falls Park District Number 1 was created to help with the needs identified in the Park Master Plan that was adopted by the City Commission at their November 15, 2016 meeting.  Some of the needs identified in the Park Master Plan were deferred maintenance, staffing levels, as well as a new indoor combined recreation and aquatics facility. 

The City selected the location of the new Recreation Center based on several factors.  These included, but were not limited to, size of property, availability, cost, building conditions, and ability for future expansion.  The location was acceptable to both the City and MAFB. 

Site Location Map

The DCIP Grant was awarded to the City of Great Falls in September 2020.  The design phase is underway to be followed by the bidding process in order for construction to begin in September of 2021.  Per the terms of the grant, groundbreaking for the new facility must occur by September of 2021. The construction timeline estimates completion of the facility by the Early Summer 2024.

While the facility designs are in the preliminary stages, the facility may potentially include multiple indoor pools.

Many proponents have suggested constructing a 50 meter pool for competition purposes.  While this is a legitimate consideration, the facility was not solely intended to be for competitive swimming.  The facility is being designed to improve the quality of life of the Great Falls community, MAFB Airmen and dependents in addition to meeting MAFB training requirements.

Facility design, construction, and maintenance costs will likely drive the number and size of pools at the facility.  

The Park and Recreation Department will provide updates as the project progresses.

Designs are in the early stages, but the Park and Recreation Department sees the need to incorporate concessions into the new Recreation Center.