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Board approves $1.57 million GMP for Blacktail Dam community building; seasonal campsite lottery held
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Summary
Williams County Parks approved a guaranteed maximum price of about $1.57 million for a Blacktail Dam community building, budgeted $100,000 for furnishings, and held a lottery assigning five seasonal campsites from seven applicants.
Williams County Parks approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with JE Dunn for a Blacktail Dam community building and completed a lottery to allocate five seasonal campsite sites.
Jeremy, the parks staff member leading the project briefing, said the community building had been an optional item in the parks master plan; he and staff worked to reduce the estimated cost from above $2 million to a guaranteed maximum price recorded in the packet at about $1,570,000. He also noted the county previously paid about $88,000 in architectural fees and that an additional $100,000 was budgeted for furnishings and appliances. "The agreement we would get into with JE Dunn would be the 1.57... for the design and then up to a $100,000 budgeted for furnishings," Jeremy said.
A motion to approve the GMP for the Blacktail Dam community building was made, seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote recorded in the meeting. Jeremy told members the building is intended to expand year‑round opportunities — creating an indoor space for events, ice‑fishing gatherings and community functions — and that the county will own and manage the facility if built.
During the same meeting the board ran a public lottery for five seasonal campsite sites at Blacktail Dam. Jeremy reported 10 initial online applicants; several failed to submit payment and three withdrew, leaving seven applicants for five spots. The staff identified the five specific site numbers that will be seasonal and used a randomized wheel to assign campers to sites during the meeting. Board members discussed adding signage at seasonal sites to avoid disputes and using volunteers to help manage the sites.
Jeremy set a construction start and an opening timeline: he said the Blacktail community building mobilization would begin immediately and staff expect the facility to be open in 2027. The board approved the GMP and related budget allocations and asked staff to return final paperwork and contract documentation as they become available.
The decision advances the county's park master plan while preserving board oversight of final contract documents.
