Livingston updates timeline and finances for community wellness center; donor relinquishes naming right

City Manager Mister Gager gave the Livingston City Commission a comprehensive update on the community wellness center project, describing the site, construction status, funding and operating model and asking the commission to accept a public naming process after the lead donor relinquished naming rights.

The project site is Katy Bunnell Park at North N and Gallatin streets and, including additional parcels the city expects to acquire from BNSF Railway and Northwestern Energy, the park could expand from about 1.8 acres to nearly 5 acres. Gager said the contractor has placed most precast wall panels and work is focused on roofing, under-slab systems and finishing the pools and gym. He gave a construction schedule that targets substantial completion in January 2027 and occupancy in February 2027.

Gager described the building’s program: a six‑lane lap pool, a secondary therapy/recreation pool with beach entry and current, a waterslide, a gym sized for regulation high‑school basketball and space for multipurpose and therapy rooms. The second floor will include a fitness area and a three‑lane elevated walking track. He described changing…