Voters in the areas of McCall and Donnelly will be asked to approve the creation of a new taxing district this fall to fund an indoor fieldhouse and recreation center.
Plans for the proposed Mountain Community Center are still being developed, but it is expected to feature a 120,000-square-foot fieldhouse that could be partitioned for use by multiple groups at a time.
A walking track would surround the sports fields, while future expansions could add pickleball courts, a swimming pool, an indoor gym, and other recreational amenities.
On Nov. 4, the volunteer group that developed the proposal will seek voter approval to formally create the Mountain Community Center District. A simple 50% majority plus one vote is required for approval.
The district boundaries would mirror the McCall-Donnelly School District, which takes in the northern half of Valley County. Funding for construction and operations would be raised by taxing motels and short-term rental stays within the district.
“Our community has spoken—loud and clear,” said Johanna Defoort, a lead volunteer for the campaign. “Voting yes for this district is the path to funding indoor spaces in Valley County without raising property taxes.”
Construction of the Mountain Community Center could begin within three to five years of voter approval for the district, Defoort said.
Defoort helped lead a petition campaign earlier this year that collected 807 signatures in support of creating the district. State law requires at least 10% of a proposed district’s registered voters to be in favor of creating the district, which set the bar for the Mountain Community Center District at 618 signatures.
Once the signatures were verified, the proposal advanced to Fourth Judicial District Judge Jason Scott, who in July approved putting it on the ballot for voters to decide. The district finalized the ballot measure this month.
Lodging tax rate to be determined
If approved, the district could levy up to 5% on short-term lodging, under state law. However, the tax rate would not be decided until after the district is created, said Megan Lawler, a member of the volunteer group behind the proposal.
“The rate will likely be set at 5% at first,” Lawler said. “Once the capital fundraising campaign is successful in raising enough funds, then the board will re-evaluate the rate.”
District bylaws cannot be written until a board of directors is appointed. The November ballot measure language includes the approval of Greg Pittenger, Lisa Beck, Blake Lingle, Heidi Wyman, and Defoort as board members.
The cities of McCall and Donnelly, which are included in the proposed district boundaries, already collect special taxes on short-term rental stays. McCall collects 6% on each reservation in city limits, while Donnelly collects 3%.
Lawler said the district’s bylaws are expected to include a provision requiring its tax rate to be lowered once collections reach a set amount that has not yet been decided.
Three locations under consideration
The site the Mountain Community Center would be built on is also still to be determined. One site under consideration is an 80-acre parcel along Lake Fork Road that is owned by Valley County.
Brundage Mountain Resort has also offered to donate land near the McCall Activity Barn on Moonridge Drive for the fieldhouse.
Without donors like you, this story would not exist.
Make a donation of any size here
Another site in McCall is under consideration, but Defoort declined to share further details on that alternative. There is currently no estimated cost for construction.
Public comments on the design of the facility are being accepted through a survey on the district’s website.
“This facility will reflect the values and needs of our community,” Defoort said. “We invite every resident to share their ideas and be part of shaping this important project.”
Plans adopted in 2023 by Valley County and the City of McCall both identified indoor recreation space as a major need across the county.
