VFW hopes to break ground on lodge soon

Glacier Park Post 2252 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars still is waiting to break ground on its new lodge at the old Skyline Bowl site, but it hopes to start construction soon.

The veterans group during October 2004 bought the land on which the Skyline Bowl was located before the building burned down after an explosion in August 2004.

The group is waiting for the city of Kalispell to approve the building permits it needs before breaking ground.

Construction should start in August, lounge Manager Doug Dall said.

The new facility will measure 70 feet by 100 feet and will cost about $300,000 to build.

The one-floor facility will benefit members because it will be more handicap-accessible than the current Main Street location.

It also will have 16 to 18 parking spaces, a change from the current on-street parking, Dall said.

"It's just going to be more convenient for everybody," he said.

The old Skyline Bowl site is at 330 First Ave. W.

The veterans post has had some offers to buy that property but hasn't accepted any.