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Sandpoint applies for state grants to upgrade City Beach and RV park; rec center membership rollout delayed by software issues
Summary
City planners submitted two state grant applications — $600,000 from the waterways improvement fund and $950,000 from the RV fund (with matches) — to fund multi-phase improvements at City Beach and upgrades to the RV park. The newly opened recreation center’s membership rollout has been slowed by rec-software transitions.
Planning and Community Development Director Jason Welker told the council the city submitted two state grant applications at the Jan. 31 deadline: a waterways improvement fund (WIF) request for $600,000 with a $100,000 local match to begin phased investments at City Beach, and an RV fund request for $950,000 with a $50,000 match to improve the city RV park. Welker said the WIF application emphasizes a three-phase approach — parking facility, boat ramps/piers repair and dock upgrades — and that Bonner County’s waterways advisory committee provided a signed letter of support.
Welker said the RV park generates more than $100,000 per year for the city and that the RV grant would help make improvements to an amenity in high demand. He said the city should hear grant-award results in late April or May.
On recreation operations, Welker reported that the city’s new recreation software rollout has been delayed, which postponed membership renewals and affected revenue timing. Staff asked about 70 members to renew on the legacy system; as of the afternoon before the meeting 73 had renewed. Welker said the new system was expected to go live the following Monday and that the rec division is running community court time that provides free access and draws heavy use, particularly for pickleball.
Why it matters: the grants would leverage state registration funds to upgrade boat ramps, docks and parking at City Beach and improve the RV park, potentially increasing tourism and local revenue. The rec center’s financial performance is sensitive to timely membership management and software reliability.
Welker said the city expects to receive notice of awards in late spring and thanked staff for moving the applications forward.
Looking ahead: if awarded, the parks projects would begin in phases over the next three years; recreation staff expect to complete full membership migration once software is live.
