[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6484687,"mediaKeyId","5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face","parentId",5598291,"title","Townsend youth baseball says fields are stretched; requests room for four more diamonds","audioSeconds",2002,"startMs",2606000,"endMs",4608000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face&start=2606&end=4608","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face/thumbnail_2606000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484687/Broadwater-County/Montana/Townsend-youth-baseball-says-fields-are-stretched-requests-room-for-four-more-diamonds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484687-478bbce67cd05d9d583b5f126c1d7b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192967&Signature=PcRGpo9Ol4DUUBQMC0Xbh5ZfiQMxoEnXj3d32W~Tvjc-GxMpnM5R-TIf5eyufLGnh7VeDE3HbJFZ6Rk~pIVGpygVF0~IfaYijptGGDVoKc088Ku~EzJa12DxLOobbydTge7caFGKCByXePr1CFqG~IAauw3cl4ZU1a0EgfVxFydEhfkCUDxpGEwgPN9WSWWUFtPzxb-wQx4petck~dwMt4uOoBzWL7t78TKuqTMHtL1gfb6QBGOxFqIFxn-dulNKws8h7pXAK4pyh1u2BkjVSeaHpesdh-mK084pXvi996tib3FiJFr2r5PscClowT8G3wDaYPz5wGBEE5nhRhz~OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Broadwater County, MT","date","2025-08-15T20:47:37Z","article","Townsend youth baseball leaders reported to the Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board on Aug. 18 that growing participation has strained existing fields and that the program needs a minimum of four additional diamonds to meet current and near-term demand.

Gary Bowman, high school baseball coach and member of the youth baseball board, and John Blyley, president of the Townsend Youth Baseball board, told the board the program currently fields about 17–18 teams and that participation ranged from roughly 216 players (youth-only count) to about 230 if high-school players are included. \"That's really where it comes down to the issue,\" Bowman said, adding the league is managing practices and games across two primary fields, occasional overflow at Conners Field, and ad hoc practice spaces.

Blyley and Bowman described scheduling pressure: teams practice multiple evenings per week, minors/majors and Babe Ruth teams travel for tournaments, and t-ball and rookie divisions have condensed schedules. The leaders said the program's solution set includes: building at least three Little League-size fields (about 200-foot fences) and one Babe Ruth/high-school-size field (about 300-foot fences), extending existing McCarthy Park fields where possible, and considering multiuse fields as interim space.

Board discussion centered on how the master plan concepts interact with the Rod and Gun Club and golf-course proposals. Several board members said Concept 3 from the county master plan is the likeliest fit if the Rod and Gun Club remains on its current site and the golf course proceeds with its clubhouse/driving-range plan; that layout would provide space for one set of fields but not the full four-field complement youth baseball says it needs. Participants also discussed Centerville property as a potential site, but noted it is partly in floodplain and lacks irrigation or water rights; staff said well permits and irrigation infrastructure would be required for any full-scale baseball conversion.

Bowman and Blyley described fundraising, volunteer maintenance and a pending memorandum of understanding with the city to share upkeep costs; they said the league has used grants, donations and in-kind labor and runs concessions to support operations. They also said some interim measures—portable mounds, additional batting cages and scheduling coordination—have helped but cannot replace permanent diamond capacity.

The board did not vote on a site or commit funding; members requested continued coordination among the parks-and-rec planning process, the golf course, the Rod and Gun Club and county staff to identify feasible locations and phased approaches.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 August 18 Parks and Recreation Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Townsend youth baseball leaders told the Parks and Recreation Board Aug. 18 that the program serves roughly 216–230 players across 17–18 teams and needs at least four additional fields to meet demand; they asked the board to coordinate field planning with golf and Rod and Gun Club plans.","taxTitle","Broadwater County, Montana","taxId",76384,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6484694,"Trails committee outlines countywide plan, flags bridge cost and MDT right-of-way issues",1710,740000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face&start=740&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face/thumbnail_740000.jpg","/articles/6484694/Broadwater-County/Montana/Trails-committee-outlines-countywide-plan-flags-bridge-cost-and-MDT-right-of-way-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484694-f531bdee5b4805b3d1d06dcae5800813/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192967&Signature=ipQOzcTnamabyn4UZQR92eaLMHKD6N4oLT00YAopERKvcjs3kaDoq~CH1KYsMop9t4HAruCaQx7ZLKajAZyLGh1Yqmb7dmvd2FDJ~mVVaQtBCAqOtMQ17zPepsikeva3uR9yJMFoDakByw-sReEZLfKJEClewmvDbRl9BpzGSrnBa6K-k60W1swY2trApMjDKQhViby6VU~u4xGkGT4ilSEFSE8yVJv7He64LGhU7LhvHRD20HeWRBKpeBwNfRKEX2Kuds9pUV0ZJ1Z7e29GPCfBRHGrhKgz8VQlk08yHcguJ9bHQHno9GuOUYVsZtRy6Jz4trATJPyeoZPIbjVhNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County trails committee presented an update on a countywide trails plan at the Aug. 18 Parks and Recreation Board meeting, emphasizing connectivity, pedestrian safety, and the need for major infrastructure investment to complete a river-bridge link.

Al (of the trails committee) told the board the committee has worked since March 2023, held two public meetings and drafted multiple plan iterations. The plan includes north, central and south section maps, a Copper City map and town-grid proposals for Townsend intended to link neighborhoods to routes.

Committee members and public commenters stressed two priorities: creating safe north–south sidewalks and pedestrian connections within Townsend, and a pedestrian bridge across the river to link the trails to the lake. Al said bridge cost estimates he’d heard range from about $5 million to $10 million and that the bridge is the committee’s top priority for seeking funding and consultant study. \"The bridge is the biggie,\" he said.

Kate Humphrey and others added that walkability and safe pedestrian corridors are essential to provide access for mobility-impaired residents and for emergency evacuations; Humphrey said there is not a continuous sidewalk from the school to the hospital and described the safety risk for wheelchair users and people with strollers.

The committee reported outreach with Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and noted that portions of a popular non-motorized trail are within MDT right-of-way. Committee members said MDT told them the highway rebuild will likely remove or narrow portions of existing trail and that enforcement of non-motorized signs currently falls to the county. The committee recommended pursuing underpasses or side trails in coordination with MDT to avoid creating unsafe crossings where highway reconstruction will occur.

Nicole Brown, Broadwater County Community Development Director, told the board the county has ArcGIS capability and volunteer or staff support could digitize the plan maps for professional presentation; the committee said clearer GIS maps and a consultant study are needed to apply for major grants.

Al described outreach to partners including Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Gallatin and Lewis & Clark county recreation staff, Prickly Pear Land Trust and the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association. He said fish and wildlife requested that the plan remove trails from the wildlife management area; the committee complied.

No formal action was taken; the board asked for continued coordination and for committee members to engage county GIS staff and adjacent-county partners as the plan moves toward a final draft.","Trails committee members presented a draft county trails plan focused on connectivity, evacuation routes, and a pedestrian bridge; they highlighted coordination needs with MDT, Fish, Wildlife & Parks and adjacent counties, and noted GIS and grant work needed for next steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6484698,"Gold Baldy Golf Course proposes clubhouse with simulators, driving-range concept to boost revenue",385,134000,519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face&start=134&end=519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face/thumbnail_134000.jpg","/articles/6484698/Broadwater-County/Montana/Gold-Baldy-Golf-Course-proposes-clubhouse-with-simulators-driving-range-concept-to-boost-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484698-26c1892735ff4ffe7cff7ca21a9bb68e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192967&Signature=Mr4SiHnKNfz1bupJbDTcrX40oGGes3rs5ggq3KOoAnwDdTuFOyg8xpQJRaTBLB2zsXOAfWUAo1PwLUIkCH3z7JpZLR1eh~Iy38acMeM5Qf28EtHocJfvduLiaFSgfUFgWbcgxBqWvIgSf07fcoSPxX3HsAmy5qLKgXfBqf5hsrVSmqHPdidQjkmGCHqnPvh7sr9A904JUnHiUF2TSJr9ghQUfD1lZxocWXacu2-kxVReF-v9vlr723ixo~jgylkpyNonow9HPPYzdWgYY7ESPfCQyBjwjkWAV0BSyeCK6MY5fJOkn2HCERRY38TCRoO1YizdrwZ9oT9Y15oAzyXdQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Aug. 18 Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board meeting, Jesse Swenson, president of Gold Baldy Golf Course, presented plans for a new clubhouse, indoor golf simulators and an interim outdoor driving-range concept intended to boost revenue.

Swenson said the course is pursuing bids for a new clubhouse, describing a single building of roughly 5,000 square feet that would combine a pro shop, office space and a front clubhouse area with a small food and beverage operation. \"We're looking at putting in simulators... not really going full restaurant,\" Swenson said, adding the club would seek a beer-and-wine license and keep food service limited to snacks and small items.

As a near-term revenue option, Swenson described a model similar to an \"Out of Bounds\" outdoor venue: bays positioned so balls would be hit safely away from public areas, a small shed near the road to handle payments and sales, and occasional food trucks. He said the driving-range bays could be rented by the hour, host leagues in winter with simulators and generally extend revenue beyond the summer season. \"The simulators are getting more and more popular,\" he said, noting other nearby courses had substantially increased revenue after adding them.

Longer-term, Swenson said the club hopes to leverage increased revenue and grant opportunities to examine adding a ninth hole. The golf course currently has slightly more than 40 acres available in the area discussed, while Swenson said a typical nine-hole layout often occupies 60 to 80 acres; he described the site as \"tight but fittable.\" He cautioned that substantial matching funds would be required for larger grants.

Swenson also mentioned plans to remove the existing deteriorated clubhouse structure; he said he spoke with Fire Chief Ed Shindle, who indicated the department could assist with a controlled burn for demolition if the club moves forward with a plan.

Board members asked about parking, placement of the new clubhouse near the current site, and how a driving-range interim use could be integrated with eventual course expansion. Swenson said the new clubhouse would be built near the existing clubhouse, and that the driving-range shed and bays would be arranged to maintain safety with over 400 yards of separation from other facilities.

No formal board action was taken; the presentation was an informational update to the board.","Jesse Swenson, president of Gold Baldy Golf Course, outlined plans for a new clubhouse with simulators, a beer-and-wine service, and an interim 'Out of Bounds' style driving-range concept intended to increase year-round revenue and fund a possible additional nine holes in the future.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6484702,"Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board approves July 21 minutes",76,62000,138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face&start=62&end=138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5598291-a254ff60a80c42bf6962d637aa26face/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6484702/Broadwater-County/Montana/Broadwater-County-Parks-and-Recreation-Board-approves-July-21-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484702-cc0f8457134f2d0475e39a8251a028e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192967&Signature=gsGNT7yiXVAuPqWUCz3jmWdaCLCQSRQSCV23cQvRVQbg4j5Yczae3GyvwP6zBS9T763jK9Qvql0EiHinfwVEdFuBGNVSkJK9qR5rplWq5gxRKwPfrhFhI9thBWHWUJ89qilqDT~1-gbSKEo0TZtyz07WvUrq8ZiqRzrboh6YN3VflV2Q9VpdUvZtOnDb7B8TlftJCsxgCwlMVAQ0xZbeURllWgnffMKxKSk1a7DyoIJ9dIDCAgbhXCagCn4L73J0WjAFM5vZh0bvR17au6xGIDWv3zYgORlFrC5KTl5Q~Ii8-KDZ2xTDRsNtWVXvPjH2MtIPE5Q9F3BERr~B67L5ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board voted to approve the minutes from its July 21 meeting during the board's Aug. 18 session.

Board Chair Jen Dalmerpel called for a motion to approve the minutes. A motion was made and seconded on the record; members responded “Aye,” and Dalmerpel announced the minutes were approved.

The action was procedural and had no recorded roll-call votes or further discussion. The board moved on to substantive agenda items after the approval.","The Parks and Recreation Board voted to approve minutes from its July 21 meeting during its Aug. 18 session; the motion passed by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Townsend youth baseball says fields are stretched; requests room for four more diamonds

Trails committee outlines countywide plan, flags bridge cost and MDT right-of-way issues

Gold Baldy Golf Course proposes clubhouse with simulators, driving-range concept to boost revenue

Broadwater County Parks and Recreation Board approves July 21 minutes