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Bannock County reviews $2 million concept to expand parking and repair fields at wellness complex, seeks partners
Summary
Presenters told commissioners a phased parking-and-field plan for the wellness complex is roughly a $2 million concept; they proposed short-term gravel parking, moving a walking path and a phased engineering plan, and asked the Health Trust, cities and other partners to contribute rather than relying solely on county funds.
Presenters Sean, Dan and Scott briefed the commission on a conceptual plan to expand parking and repair athletic fields at the county’s wellness complex. Three independent reviewers placed the conceptual cost near $2 million, Dan said: “We took the concept drawing… I think we're right around that $2 million number with all three of us.”
Because of limited county resources, the presenters proposed phasing: move the walking path, add a second access point and install temporary gravel parking as an interim measure while seeking partners and additional funding. Scott said engineering would help with phasing and cautioned that engineering alone can be “five or 6% in that range of the total project.”
Commissioners repeatedly urged the presenters to pursue partnership funding and avoid committing county taxpayers to the full cost. One commissioner asked whether the Health Trust could be a partner and whether some funds could come from that board rather than from “Bannock County taxpayer funds.” The county offered to prepare an executive summary of costs, proposed phasing and a clear “ask” so presenters could brief partner boards; Sean said he had a briefing with his board next week and wanted an executive summary for that meeting.
Presenters and commissioners also discussed field maintenance problems driving the need for repairs: heavy Friday-night and tournament use, broken irrigation lines, dry patches and the loss of Pocatello sod as a local supplier. They raised safety concerns when vehicles park in neighborhoods and when emergency-vehicle access is constrained by curb parking during events.
On water and infrastructure, speakers revisited a decade-old idea to pipe fertilized/irrigation water from a nearby agricultural pond in the Simplot area to reduce treated-water costs, but they said water, piping and infrastructure remain obstacles.
Why it matters: The wellness complex is a major community asset with frequent events that bring economic activity; parking constraints, field condition and water access affect safety, usability and event revenue. Presenters and commissioners framed the project as a priority for phased capital investment and multi-party partnership.
What’s next: Presenters said they would provide an executive summary with cost phasing and specific asks for partner boards within days so county staff and partners can evaluate next steps.
