Community Center in the Works

A committee of several Island Park residents have spent the past summer beginning the process to build a community center for Island Park. 

The center, which committee chairman Ron Folsom hopes will break ground in Fall of 2023, may include a sports facility, entertainment center and kitchen among many other services for both residents and tourists to Island Park. 

"I think a community center would be a huge attraction to visitors and full-time residents," said committee member Teri Ehresman. "We need a place to let people know about the many unique features of Island Park, to let them purchase Island Park related items and to learn about the history of the area. We urgently need a meeting place for small and large group gathering as well. This would be a great hub for the community."

In order to fund the facility an election will be held in May 2023 to make Island Park an auditorium or community center district and charge a 5% lodging tax on all hotels, motels and short-term rental properties in the district. The auditorium district will be operated by a board of local residents and funding collected will go directly to the local community district. 

Folsom has been visiting Island Park since he was a little boy long before he decided to move to the hidden gem of Idaho. He can't remember a time when residents haven't discussed needing a community center of some sort.

"I've watched it grow and one thing we lack is a place for the residents of our community and our visitors to get together and the summer that community should include visitors," Folsom said.

Despite Island Park being a tight-knit group of people, the community does not have a central place for meetings, events, or the local youth to come for sports or other activities. There is not a good location for large weddings or family reunions which so many both inside and outside the community desire to hold in this beautiful location.

"It is something I have been working on for years even as a member of the Historical Society," said Ann Anthony, committee member and editor and owner of the Island Park News. "We don't have a venue large enough to accommodate some of our events plus so many other things."

Until recently the biggest obstacle to building a community center was funding. But a few things happened to change this problem. One, Folsom moved to Island Park after working and volunteering in the city of Ammon. Folsom had knowledge of rules and regulations and districting policies to know how to make things happen for Island Park. 

Second, the short-term rentals business in Island Park increased greatly. Folsom said estimates right now show up to approximately 1300 short term rental are operates in Island Park which he thinks could generate the funding needed to build and operate the facility for the community. 

"We think Island Park should be a destination, not a gateway to Yellowstone," Folsom said.

But in order to make it happen the community of Island Park must get out and vote for it in the May elections. 

"There is nothing else like it in Island Park," committee member Lyssa Linger said. "The community center is all about community and offering a place for all of us to come together."

For more information visit https://visitislandparkidaho.net.