Support came through for the Glacier Discovery Square community center, with donations topping $13,000 in three weeks to fix the facility’s broken boiler.
Flathead Electric Cooperative contributed a bulk of the money needed to fix the system with an $8,000 grant through its Roundup for Safety program. First Best Place shut down the boiler in November.
The boiler failed after 35 years, according to First Best Place. Shayne Hatfield, a First Best Place board member and owner of Glacier Service and Testing, donated his time to nurse the boiler along and keep the heat on, but it eventually gave out.
A new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is part of the remodel at Discovery Square, where the group hopes to relocate the Columbia Falls branch of the Flathead County Library System.
“The new boiler is paid for,” First Best Place Administrative Manager Lindsey Becker said in a press release. “We are so happy to be scheduling the work to get the heat back on in Glacier Discovery Square.”
First Best Place also reported significant community support for the boiler fundraiser, including a $3,000 matching gift and 10 percent of the proceeds from the Rotary Club of Columbia Falls’ annual Brunch With Santa on Dec. 3.
In addition, a bake sale during the annual Night of Lights parade on Dec. 2 raised $310, the group said.
“We are humbled by the response from the community,” Hilary Hutcheson, First Best Place president, said. “Donations of $10, $25, $100 came from all over the area and from former Flathead residents from thousands of miles away. It’s thrilling to be part of a project that has so much support in the community. We offer a huge thank you.”
The boiler’s installation should happen in January, the group said, and Glacier Discovery Square will be closed until then. First Best Place will continue to help the community host events, and the group’s administrative staff can be found at 729 Nucleus Ave. until the boiler is installed. First Best Place can be reached at 406-892-1363.