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LETTER: Kalispell schools help support local economy

| November 11, 2016 10:00 AM

Recently, Kalispell Public Schools hosted its sixth and final state sports championship for the year — the state AA soccer tournament. The weekend before, the Montana High School Association’s Cross Country State Championships represented every size school in the state in a final competition. This past spring, we hosted AA Tennis Championships, the Archie Roe Track & Field Invitational, Basketball’s Western B Divisional and finally Girls AA Softball.

These events bring fans, friends and families from across Montana to Kalispell, providing an important boost to our local economy — particularly when these events happen during the fall and spring shoulder season, when peak summer tourism declines. Each event takes countless hours of preparation from staff, in addition to their normal duties. The MHSA Cross Country State Championships alone was three years of planning and preparation.

Thank you to Bryce Wilson and Mark Dennehy, the activity directors who worked long hours to make these events happen. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who make each game and division possible. And to the residents of Kalispell who make the athletes and their support “teams” feel welcome. A special thank you to Rebecca Farm — their generous donation of their incredible venue made the MHSA’s Cross Country Championships an unforgettable memory.

Kalispell Public Schools is proud to be a part of the economic fabric of the Flathead and proud to host these events. More than one person has commented on the extraordinary hospitality they experienced while staying in the valley. —Mark Flatau, superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools, and Andrea Johnson, assistant superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools