Clinic, fitness facility studied for Col. Falls

A joint venture among North Valley Hospital, The Wave and School District 6 could bring a new medical clinic and fitness facility to Columbia Falls.

The project evolved as the three entities recognized overlapping interests — the hospital wanted to expand but its space at the Professional Center on the U.S. 2 strip was limited; The Wave, a Whitefish facility with about 1,200 Columbia Falls members, wanted a presence in Columbia Falls; and the school district wanted a school-based health clinic and had available land.

Discussion is in its early stages, but the hospital has indicated it needs about 10,000 square feet and The Wave needs about 20,000 square feet, City Manager Susan Nicosia explained to the Columbia Falls City Council recently.

The Wave conducted a feasibility study for a Columbia Falls satellite facility in 2008, Nicosia said. The Wave doesn’t want to duplicate what it offers at its facility in Whitefish, but some type of therapy pool could be part of the Columbia Falls facility, she said.

The site currently under consideration is school property between Ruder Elementary School and Columbia Falls Junior High School and would be accessed from Talbott Road, Nicosia said. City zoning would have to be amended for the project.

Both the hospital and The Wave looked at vacant property along U.S. 2 strip, including the former Pamida store and land adjacent to the city pool, but the price wasn’t right.

Council member Dave Petersen asked if the former Glacier Discovery Square building on Nucleus Avenue could be used for the project.

The First Best Place nonprofit group gave that site back to Whitefish Credit Union on Oct. 26. Squeezing a 30,000-square-foot building on Nucleus and providing adequate parking, however, could be difficult.

Petersen said the proposed clinic and fitness facility will draw traffic and should be located near other commercial buildings. A better use for the former Pamida store site would be a hotel, Mayor Don Barnhart said.

Nicosia said she will meet again with North Valley Hospital, The Wave and School District 6 about the project.