Residents, Foundation Urge Flathead County to Buy Parkland Trail Site for New Kalispell Library; Commissioners Cite Budget Limits

Supporters of a new Kalispell library urged the Flathead County Commission to approve a $2,760,000 sidebar request so the county can purchase central property along the Parkland Trail being offered for $2,900,000.

The Flathead Library Foundation told the commission it would cover the remaining $140,000 if commissioners grant the full sidebar request, a move foundation leaders said is necessary to unlock private fundraising and significant grants for a new branch. "Without this foundational county investment in the land, securing the necessary level of private philanthropy and significant grants to make this project a reality will be exceedingly, if not impossible," said Sarah Bassi, executive director of the Flathead Library Foundation.

Why it matters: library leaders say buying the site now would clear the way for a combined public-private effort to build a larger, modern Kalispell branch that supporters say will advance literacy and serve families year-round. Commissioners pushed back on timing and funding, saying county capital is currently…