Park and Recreation History in Colstrip Montana
1974 through 1997
On December 2, 1974, LaDonna Dithmer (Cope), the first Recreation
Director arrived in Colstrip. Western Energy Company, under the
direction of Martin White, was managing the town of Colstrip at this
time. Colstrip had little to offer for recreation. Rye Park was an
undeveloped field, and there were no playgrounds.
One third of LaDonna’s salary was paid by Western Energy Company, one
third by Montana Power Company and one third by Units 1 & 2 Partners.
During the summers of 1975 recreation programs were based at the "Mess
Hall" (now known as Jimmy’s). LaDonna and 2 high school girls provided
recreation programs for the children of Colstrip. On the Friday before
the 4th of July the first Colstrip Days Parade was held. The parade
consisted of 44 children.
There were thousands of men in Colstrip, because of the construction of
the power plants, with basically nothing to do. The first year there
were 20 basketball teams playing at the high school gym (now FBMS) with
130 participants. During the summer there were 15 - 16 softball teams.
The softball field was located where Taylors Ace Hardware is today. This
was a dirt field that was dragged and lined by the Recreation Director.
Construction on the Community Center started the Fall of 1975. Lots of
volunteer help planned and constructed the building. During their slow
periods on Units 1 & 2, the employees of Bechtel Construction were sent
to work on the Community Center. Martin White was an avid handball and
racquetball player, so this area was the first completed. The wood
floors in the gym were done totally by volunteer labor. The unfinished
building and the pool were being used in the fall of 1976.
The Tot Lots in the original townsite were constructed and maintained by
the "Town Crew" (employees of Western Energy Co.). The rocks at Rye Park
were brought in to be used as a possible amphitheater.
Martin White gave LaDonna an assignment: Get people to come to Colstrip
for a recreational activity. This was the beginning of the Spoil-A-Thon.
The first year there were 3 participants and they actually ran through
the Area A spoil piles of the Rosebud Mine.
A Board of Directors was established during LaDonna’s tenure to involve
the community of Colstrip. This was the beginning of Colstrip Area
Recreation and Parks Association (CARPA). Jack Ervin began his
employment during the summer of 1976. Between LaDonna and Jack they ran
the recreation programs in Colstrip and at the Community Center
(including the janitorial and the maintenance of the building). In the
spring of 1977, LaDonna resigned and Jack Ervin took over as the new
Recreation Director. Jack oversaw the operation for 2-1/2 to 3 years,
then Ralph Rust became the new Director. Ralph is credited with starting
the running sensation in Colstrip, which still continues today. A year
later Marge Noyd was hired and as it turned out was CARPA’s last
Director. During Marge’s tenure Colstrip’s parks system expanded as did
the population and the town itself. Stillwater Parks (Phases I & II)
were the most evident accomplishments. The construction of these parks
became the soccer fields and the softball complex. With the additional
housing in Colstrip new parks were constructed. These parks being
Hollister, Big Timber, Piedmont, Laramie, Winchester, Antelope, and
Prospector. The community center facilities improved also.
Montana Power Company and it’s Partners prompted the CARPA Board to find
an alternative to them managing parks and recreation in Colstrip. A
viable avenue for the small town of Colstrip seemed to be the formation
of a tax district for parks and recreation. It was found that the
creation of a county park district could be initiated by:
a. a petition signed by not less than 15% of the qualified electors of
the proposed park district; or
b. a resolution of intent adopted by the county governing body, calling
for the creation of a county park district.
The petition or resolution must contain:
a. the boundaries of the proposed district;
b. the proposed maximum property tax mill levy that could be levied on
property owners within the district for the operation of the district;
and
c. the proposed number of members of the county park district
commission. The number of members must be an odd number and may not be
less than three.
A petition with the boundary, mill levy and commission information was
submitted to the county clerk. Upon receipt of the petition the county
clerk had 15 days to reject or certify the petition. A public hearing
was held presenting information to the community and questions and
concerns were addressed. An election was held in April of 1987 and
voters residing in the proposed district favored forming a park and
recreation district in Colstrip.
On July 1,1987 the Colstrip Parks and Recreation District was formed
with a 3 mill maximum levy as the result of the April election. Rick
Harbin was hired as the Executive Director of the district. There were
three other full-time positions to attend to programs, maintenance and
bookkeeping. At the same time a seven person Board of Directors was
appointed by the Rosebud County Commissioners. All Board members are now
publicly elected and by law receive no compensation.
During the spring of 1988 CPRD sponsored a survey to assess park and
recreation needs in Colstrip. The results of that survey indicated that
voters were strongly interested in three main projects. Those projects
were:
1. Development of Castle Rock Lake
2. Construction of a golf course and clubhouse
3. Construction of a youth baseball stadium
Those who participated in the survey indicated they would support a tax
increase to complete the projects. An election was held in April 1989
and voters approved raising the mill levy from 3 to 6 mills with the
understanding that the additional 3 mills would be earmarked for the
three projects.
The golf course construction began in April 1990 and was completed in
October 1991. Golfers were allowed out on the golf course in May of
1992. The first golf pro had a trailer used as the pro shop until the
clubhouse was completed. Construction began on the Clubhouse on October
26, 1992 and the building opened in July of 1993.
Improvements to the infields at Stillwater Park began in October of 1989
and were finished in April of 1990. The sod had trouble rooting so the
fields opened late that year. Construction of the concession stand at
Stillwater Park began in April 1990 and was completed on September 13,
1990.
An agreement was reached between CPRD, MPC and it’s Partners to proceed
with developing and improving the Castle Rock Lake area. The lake
development and trail construction at Castle Rock Lake were started
October 1991 and finished in March of 1992. The labor for this project
was donated by members of the Operating Engineers Union and the use of
equipment was supplied by Western Energy Company for the improvements.
A survey was done in February of 1993 to ask the community for input as
to the reduction of the mill levy from 6 to 3 or to continue growth and
development of the park and recreation system in Colstrip. The results
of this survey indicated no reduction of the mill levy would be pursued
at this time.
During the fall of 1994 the soccer fields were dedicated and renamed as
the "B.A. Schaefer Soccer Fields". In memory of a man that contributed
to the soccer program and the youth of Colstrip.
The community of Colstrip has benefited by the formation of the
district. Baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, fitness programs and
teen night are just a few of the programs available to our youth. The
adult activities provided by CPRD are golf, softball, basketball,
racquetball, volleyball, and many fitness programs. The areas CPRD
maintains are the community center, the pool, the park system, bike
paths, Castle Rock Lake area and trail, the ice skating/hockey rink
area, the clubhouse and golf course.