Our Projects
Get in touch if you'd like to join us at a meeting or roll up your sleeves and pitch in on a project.
Please make a donation if you'd like to help out financially.
Please make a donation if you'd like to help out financially.
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Gardiner Community Center
While we work on a diversity of projects in the Greater Gardiner area, we are currently focused on keeping the Gardiner Community Center standing and restoring it to its former glory. The Gardiner Community Center was built in 1910 as the Gardiner Opera House, and today it needs our help to become a functional community building and gathering space once again.
We took over ownership of this historical building in January 2015. In May of 2021, we received a time limited $500,000 Montana state historic preservation grant to focus on the largest phase of the renovation which includes structural stabilization using concrete and steel to support the stone walls and replacing the roof to preserve the building for the next century. The estimate completed pre-pandemic for this phase of work, which cannot be broken down any further, was $850,000. With today's construction costs, the price is likely significantly more. Our current plan is to close the building this fall and start construction on reinforcing the exterior walls and replacing the roof. The building will remain closed, with the exception of the gym, until we raise enough money to complete the major construction phases. This will allow us to use our state historic preservation grant within the timeline required and allow us to make progress on ensuring the building remains standing.
We have already directed over $300,000 to complete hazardous material abatement in the building (2017-2018) and to finish construction drawings (2018) for the upcoming stabilization and remodel work. We've also received a $10,000 grant for the stonework around the windows (2021), a $100,000 Gardiner Resort Tax grant (2021) and raised almost $30,000 during past Give a Hoot Park County events (2019-2022) to put towards this phase of construction. While this is not insignificant, we hope to minimize impacts to the community once we start construction this winter and donations toward the first construction phase will allow us to reopen the building to the public sooner. If the building is going to continue to stand and become a more functional gathering space for the community, now is the time to complete repairs and upgrades.
The Gardiner chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, who purchased shares in the building and used it as a meeting hall since its opening, took over management of the building in 1928 when the Opera House Corporation dissolved. During the 1940s and 1950s the building also housed the Gardiner School and held basketball games on the top floor. Since its construction, the building has been home to dances, concerts, political and social club meetings, and other community events, a tradition which continues to this day. Currently the building houses a gym, exercise classes, and a large open space upstairs with a stage, for community events such as public meetings, dances, craft fairs, and other social gatherings. Outside of the school, the building serves as the largest gathering space in the community.
More information and drawings on the building's restoration plans can be found here. Hover over each picture for a caption.
We took over ownership of this historical building in January 2015. In May of 2021, we received a time limited $500,000 Montana state historic preservation grant to focus on the largest phase of the renovation which includes structural stabilization using concrete and steel to support the stone walls and replacing the roof to preserve the building for the next century. The estimate completed pre-pandemic for this phase of work, which cannot be broken down any further, was $850,000. With today's construction costs, the price is likely significantly more. Our current plan is to close the building this fall and start construction on reinforcing the exterior walls and replacing the roof. The building will remain closed, with the exception of the gym, until we raise enough money to complete the major construction phases. This will allow us to use our state historic preservation grant within the timeline required and allow us to make progress on ensuring the building remains standing.
We have already directed over $300,000 to complete hazardous material abatement in the building (2017-2018) and to finish construction drawings (2018) for the upcoming stabilization and remodel work. We've also received a $10,000 grant for the stonework around the windows (2021), a $100,000 Gardiner Resort Tax grant (2021) and raised almost $30,000 during past Give a Hoot Park County events (2019-2022) to put towards this phase of construction. While this is not insignificant, we hope to minimize impacts to the community once we start construction this winter and donations toward the first construction phase will allow us to reopen the building to the public sooner. If the building is going to continue to stand and become a more functional gathering space for the community, now is the time to complete repairs and upgrades.
The Gardiner chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, who purchased shares in the building and used it as a meeting hall since its opening, took over management of the building in 1928 when the Opera House Corporation dissolved. During the 1940s and 1950s the building also housed the Gardiner School and held basketball games on the top floor. Since its construction, the building has been home to dances, concerts, political and social club meetings, and other community events, a tradition which continues to this day. Currently the building houses a gym, exercise classes, and a large open space upstairs with a stage, for community events such as public meetings, dances, craft fairs, and other social gatherings. Outside of the school, the building serves as the largest gathering space in the community.
More information and drawings on the building's restoration plans can be found here. Hover over each picture for a caption.
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Arch Park and the Depot Library
Arch Park is an open space in the shadow of the Roosevelt Arch that is part National Park and part County Park. We are working closely with Yellowstone National Park and Park County to plan for maintenance and improvements to Arch Park in connection with the Gardiner Gateway Project.
Working with an architect, we have produced drawings for a multiple use Depot Library building at Arch Park to advance ideas embraced by the community in the public meetings for the Preliminary Engineering Report held in 2012. The vision is to evoke, not replicate, the original Gardiner railroad depot which was designed by Robert Reamer and built in 1903. To improve circulation and utility of the building in conjunction with the park itself our drawings place the building up against Arch Park. Challenges remain to bring this vision to life but the GGCC is working on it.
Working with an architect, we have produced drawings for a multiple use Depot Library building at Arch Park to advance ideas embraced by the community in the public meetings for the Preliminary Engineering Report held in 2012. The vision is to evoke, not replicate, the original Gardiner railroad depot which was designed by Robert Reamer and built in 1903. To improve circulation and utility of the building in conjunction with the park itself our drawings place the building up against Arch Park. Challenges remain to bring this vision to life but the GGCC is working on it.
Gardiner Area Housing Plan and Needs Assessment
A group of Gardiner residents has been exploring housing challenges and developing a plan to address housing needs in the Gardiner area. This work began in 2014. The working group, comprised of the Greater Gardiner Community Council, area business owners, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce, NPS, USFS, Xanterra, Gardiner School District, Park County, and local nonprofits developed a Draft Housing Plan & Needs Assessment. For further information please contact Katie Weaver at 222-4156.
| Gardiner Community Housing Draft |
Housing Action Plan
This document was produced in 2015 and was generated from the housing plan and needs assessment. It is guiding ongoing discussions and actions with citizens, stakeholders, and volunteers.
| Gardiner Area Housing Action Plan |
Gardiner's Historic Resources Survey
The Greater Gardiner Community Council raised $5,000 to compile a survey of Gardiner's history. This was done to inform future interpretive efforts as well as for a cultural compliance document for the Gardiner Gateway Project.
Jared L. Infanger performed the work and in it identified the potential for two historic districts in Gardiner and suggested that several buildings may qualify for the historic register. The Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) agrees the districts are eligible should the community wish to pursue historic district status and also suggests several local buildings may be eligible for individual designation should the property owners wish to pursue it.
Project Lead: Anne Foster
Jared L. Infanger performed the work and in it identified the potential for two historic districts in Gardiner and suggested that several buildings may qualify for the historic register. The Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) agrees the districts are eligible should the community wish to pursue historic district status and also suggests several local buildings may be eligible for individual designation should the property owners wish to pursue it.
Project Lead: Anne Foster
Rebuilding the Fence at Tinker's Hill Cemetery
This historic cemetery is located just west of Gardiner on the south side of the Yellowstone River. This property is the only private in-holding in Yellowstone National Park. It was deeded to the Eagles who managed it for about 70 years, until the deed was passed to the American Legion.
The cemetery is an important historic asset to Gardiner but was in need of improvements to prevent its deterioration. GGCC raised approximately $12,000 in funds and orchestrated the creation and installation of a new fence and gate to prevent wildlife from entering the small graveyard.
Before and after photos are to the left. Read some of the history of Tinker's Hill Cemetery in an excerpt from "Death in Yellowstone", a book by Gardiner resident and Yellowstone Historian Lee Whittlesey.
Project Lead: Sue Johnson
The cemetery is an important historic asset to Gardiner but was in need of improvements to prevent its deterioration. GGCC raised approximately $12,000 in funds and orchestrated the creation and installation of a new fence and gate to prevent wildlife from entering the small graveyard.
Before and after photos are to the left. Read some of the history of Tinker's Hill Cemetery in an excerpt from "Death in Yellowstone", a book by Gardiner resident and Yellowstone Historian Lee Whittlesey.
Project Lead: Sue Johnson
CTEP Sidewalk Project
Members of the GGCC successfully worked to find funding to extend the sidewalks all the way to the rodeo grounds on the north side of Gardiner. The sidewalk ended three blocks short of the rodeo grounds, and it was dangerous for visitors and residents to walk to restaurants in town.
This project was a collaboration with Park County and the Montana Department of Transportation, and enabled the County and Community to take advantage of use or lose Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds. GGCC paid the financial match and then applied for reimbursement from resort tax funds. The sidewalk was built in the spring of 2015.
Project Lead: Dennis McIntosh
This project was a collaboration with Park County and the Montana Department of Transportation, and enabled the County and Community to take advantage of use or lose Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds. GGCC paid the financial match and then applied for reimbursement from resort tax funds. The sidewalk was built in the spring of 2015.
Project Lead: Dennis McIntosh
Northside Pocket Park
The Northside Pocket Park space is located on the east side of Highway 89 in front of the Big Rock Inn hotel. The land is owned by Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT), and was a paved pullout until May of 2015. In 2014, MDOT extended an offer for use of the space to GGCC once the sidewalk on the east side of Highway 89 was extended to the rodeo grounds.
In January, 2015, GGCC applied for, and received resort tax funding of $31,011 to build the proposed Northside Pocket Park on MDOT’s land. After a long process of paperwork with MDOT and Park County, the park was built in September, 2016.
Project Leads: Lynn Chan, Dennis McIntosh, and Becky Smith
In January, 2015, GGCC applied for, and received resort tax funding of $31,011 to build the proposed Northside Pocket Park on MDOT’s land. After a long process of paperwork with MDOT and Park County, the park was built in September, 2016.
Project Leads: Lynn Chan, Dennis McIntosh, and Becky Smith
Dog Waste Station
In honor of Earth Day 2014, GGCC commissioned and installed a dog waste station in Arch Park. The waste station was created by a local business, Badger Creek Rustic Furniture.
Project Lead: Becky Smith
Project Lead: Becky Smith
Park to Paradise Triathlon
The Park to Paradise race is a long standing local event in which participants boat, bike and run through the greater Gardiner area. The race has been held for over 30 years, and in 2014 the Greater Gardiner Community Council became the race’s parent organization by providing volunteers and race day insurance. The race is not only a fun community event, but is also a fundraiser for GGCC community projects and the Gardiner Community Center.
Project Lead: Becky Smith
