Commission tables change to concession-stand contracting after sports groups raise logistics concerns

Anaconda — The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Commission on March 4 tabled proposed changes to how the county handles concessions at the Charlotte Tilghman complex after parks staff described a plan to stop seasonal concession contracts and instead allow use through special-event permits with fee provisions.

Parks staff (speaker 8, introduced by the chair as “Jerome”) told the commission the parks department wants to discontinue a single-season concession contract and instead manage concession access via individual special-event permits and associated fees. "We will not be entering into contracts, period, regarding the use of the concession stands," the parks representative said, explaining the change is intended to equalize access among the high school, Little League and USA Softball.

Why it matters: Local athletic groups said the logistics of splitting access and revenue across overlapping seasons are not yet worked out. Mary Sandoval (speaker 9), who coaches high-school softball and runs the local USA Softball group, told commissioners she and others had planned to bid for a seasonal contract so concession proceeds could support softball programs. "Our goal was...to hopefully bid on it, and then that money would go back into the softball program and the Little League," Sandoval said, asking how splits and event overlap would be handled.

Adam Martin (speaker 10) urged clarity in the definition of "special use," warning that a group holding a permit midseason might force another user to remove food and supplies. "If in the middle of that there's a special use, is that—do they get kicked out?" Martin asked, stressing that permit language should prevent midseason displacement.

County attorney (speaker 5) and staff clarified that the intended approach would fold concession use into the special-event permit framework, with a fee section covering concession-stand use rather than separate multi-month contracts. Staff characterized the proposal as an attempt to respond to complaints that the previous contract winner had exclusive access and excluded other organizations from concessions during their events.

Commission action and next steps: Commissioners agreed the idea requires more detailed logistics and coordination among the high school, Little League, USA Softball and other users (including the Anaconda Hurricanes travel team). Commissioner Bodette (speaker 2) moved to table the item so the parks director can work out the logistics with the groups; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to table the concession-stand item pending further information.

What remains unresolved: Who will hold seasonal access, how revenue would be split among organizations, insurance and permit language, and an operational schedule for overlapping events were all left for staff to sort out. The commission did not adopt any new contract language or fee schedule and took no immediate action to reissue a seasonal concession contract.

The commission is expected to revisit the item after parks staff report back with a recommended approach and clearer permit language.