The Gallatin Valley Land Trust's ambitious project to spruce up the Sourdough Canyon Trailhead received a $10,000 boost Tuesday from REI, the retail outdoor gear and clothing co-op, which is opening a Bozeman store in May.
Teresa Larson, REI outreach specialist, said the company typically partners with community organizations that share its core values: inspiring people to get outside and promoting land stewardship.
"It was chosen because it can reach the most people," Larson said. "It's a popular trailhead and it's an area that really needs some improvements.
"By partnering with GVLT, we're demonstrating our commitment to stewardship."
The popular year-round recreation site does not have enough parking and the road to the trailhead is unsafe, said Ted Lange, community trails planner for GVLT. Erosion of the road and runoff into Bozeman Creek also present problems for the south side hiking spot.
Lange presented the nonprofit organization's approximately $280,000 plan to revamp the trailhead to the Gallatin County Commission in March, where it was given the go-ahead. The county owns the right-of-way near the trailhead.
The new proposal calls for adding 50 or 60 parking spaces within the current area, widening the south end of Sourdough Canyon Road, straightening blind curves and moving the road away from the creek in several places. The parking lot and road will be moved away from the creek to prevent runoff, Lange said.
GVLT also wants to install a vault toilet near the proposed parking lot.
The REI grant will help GVLT get necessary permits and finish up designs for the project, which alone will cost about $50,000, Lange said.
"Even with this $10,000 grant, we still have a substantial chunk of money to raise for design and permitting," he said. "We need everyone who uses this trail to donate whatever they can."
James Hedges, manager of the new REI store, which will open at 2220 Tschache Street (formerly Linens ‘N Things) on May 21, said GVLT will have a tent set up during the grand opening to help generate interest and collect donations.
If all the funding falls into place, Lange said, GVLT hopes to complete the project by this fall.
Lauren Russell can be reached at lrussell@dailychronicle.com or 582-2635.
paddler posted at 6:00 pm on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
Oh yeah, fergot to mention Summit Bike & Ski, they'll be alright, I hope, along with PHD Skis, because they DO provide good service. REI will be a breath of fresh air in this town, can't wait.
bdb posted at 5:23 pm on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
perhaps if some of the "local" sporting goods stores provided better service they wouldn't have to worry about REI coming to town. I stopped spending my money at Bob Wards quite a while ago because every time I went in there, their inventory was a mess, half the stuff i was interested in didn't have a price tag, the employees were snobbish jerks, and the prices that were visible were ridiculously high. I go to Wholesale Sports now, where the merchandise and inventory is kept in an organized fashion, the prices are clearly visible and competitive, and the employees are friendly and helpful. I would never dream of shopping at some of the stores downtown, with their "holier than thou" attitude, and incredibly inflated prices.
paddler posted at 2:54 pm on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
Well, which of the local retailers should I feel sorry for.... Lessee, the outfit downtown that's been charging above retail for their bikes for decades? Or maybe the kayak shop where they tried to sell me, for full retail, a kayak without a serial # and factory stamped "BLEM, NOT FOR SALE" ? Hmmm, that one, or maybe the ski & bike shop on main where the owner interceded and raised the price of a pair of ski-boots $20 as I was headed to the register for checkout? Yeah, I could feel sorry for him... when it snows in Hades. Roundhouse Spts has been good to me, PHD Skis is the greatest. The rest, not so much, this is still a capitalist country, let them compete, we'll all be better off.
danie006 posted at 12:31 pm on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
jsharper - while REI is indeed a COOP, they are also an outdoor retailing behemoth. They are as business-savvy as any big box store, so look out.
They will push out the local guys in no time flat. Without customer support, they'll be gone within 3 years.
Shane posted at 12:04 pm on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
I'm more concerned that GVLT is spending a fair bit of effort and $ to fix up a road and parking lot that will most likely get redesigned/rebuilt again by the city when they build a dam on Sourdough Creek.
jsharper posted at 11:35 am on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
I am pretty sure that REI is a co-op...
danie006 posted at 10:15 am on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
This is only the beginning of manipulation of the Walmart of outdoor stores: strong-arm ways under the veil community outreach and "environmentalism". Sadly, Bozemanites will take it hook, line and sinker.
18720 posted at 12:45 am on Wed, Apr 28, 2010.
Will REI be donating capital to the LOCAL outdoor recreation stores that it puts out of business?