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Thayne agrees to serve as leaseholder and grant applicant for West Hills mountain bike trail, commits up to $60,000 match
Summary
Mountain Bike Star Valley proposed about six miles of non-motorized trails in the Limekiln/Swab Creek area; the council approved the town serving as leaseholder and grant applicant for an Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Trust Fund grant and approved up to $60,000 in cash or in-kind toward the match.
Robert Hood, representing Mountain Bike Star Valley, asked the Town of Thayne to partner as the official lease holder and grant applicant to develop the Thayne West Hills Trail System, a proposed roughly six-mile network of non-motorized, mountain bike–optimized trails in the Limekiln/Swab Creek area. He told the council the group would cover lease costs, lead fundraising, and handle construction and long-term maintenance.
Councilmembers moved on three related actions. Councilmember Joe Heward moved, and Councilmember Visser seconded, to approve applying for a special-use lease on the state parcel in Swab Creek for the mountain bike trail; the motion passed unanimously. The council then approved applying for an Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Trust Fund grant and approved a contribution of up to $60,000 in cash or in-kind toward the grant match requirements, with authorization for the mayor to sign the application; both motions passed unanimously.
The proposal estimated the project cost at $130,000–$190,000. MBSV said grant funding and in-kind contributions would be used to meet match requirements and that the organization would lead fundraising and manage construction. No vote tallies beyond “all in favor” were recorded.
Why it matters: council approval lets a local nonprofit begin formal grant and lease processes that, if funded and permitted by the state, would create trail infrastructure the group says will provide recreation, health and tourism benefits to the valley.
What’s next: the town will be the applicant for the Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Trust Fund grant and the special-use lease; MBSV will continue fundraising and work with the town on application materials and lease requirements.
