Residents urge preservation of Dwyer gym as county reviews W.K. Dwyer development permit

Commissioners heard more than an hour of public comment on a major development permit for the former W.K. Dwyer School property, where a developer proposes up to 24 senior‑housing units and a zoning change from public/semi‑public to high‑density residential.

Dan Reardon, a member of the Anaconda Deer Lodge County Planning Board, said he supports the project, noting the school has been vacant for nine years, the county owns the parcel and the facility is not being maintained. "I think this would be a very good project for Anaconda," Reardon said.

Several neighbors pressed the commission to preserve the school gym. "Don't tear that gym down," one resident said, arguing the space is already used by local children and grandchildren. Marilyn Hagen asked how the zoning and density change would affect property values, taxes and the bomb‑shelter designation she recalled at the site: "We were wondering if we can preserve the gym."

Carl Hamming, the county planning director, said the requested zoning change would apply only to the former school parcel — about 2.75 acres — not the adjoining parkland to the west, and that the developer envisions roughly 8–10 units per building as a closer fit to high‑density residential. "So it's going from public, semi public, to a high density residential zoning, and it will be applied to only the school property and not the parkland to the west," Hamming said.

Neighbors raised practical concerns about setbacks, traffic and signage. Bob Zocklich, who lives at 1603 Copper Road immediately behind the site, asked how close new construction would be to Copper Road and whether large vehicles would be able to turn around. He also asked about noise and night‑time light: "It's quiet up there now," Zocklich said. County staff said final engineering and setbacks are pending and that the preliminary concept includes about 99 parking spaces for the development.

Commissioners and staff also discussed project funding. County staff said the development is currently in a competitive state funding process; selection results are due this summer and final awards expected in October. The project team and staff made clear that the development is contingent on securing grant funding and "would not be financially feasible" without it.

Representatives from Care International offered an alternate proposal to rehabilitate the property as a community hub, promising to reopen the gym, clean vandalism, resume snow removal and post an American flag. Michael Wiles, identified as vice president of Care International, said the organization is prepared to present a written proposal and manage renovations if given the opportunity.

The commission took no final vote on the permit tonight; the public hearing closed and the county will return the item to the agenda for further consideration and any required formal action.

The next procedural step is for staff to complete engineering plans and for the county to await state funding decisions expected this fall.