67,000-square-foot Fort Hall Recreation Center plan unveiled at groundbreaking
FHBC members and Miss Sho-Ban Myke Moore were among the Fort Hall Recreation Center groundbreaking ceremony participants on May 20.
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Planning Department hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Fort Hall Recreation Center, Wednesday May 20.
Planning Director Alonzo Coby welcomed everyone in attendance and shared the opening remarks. “I would like to thank the Fort Hall Business Council and there is a lot of positive new things happening in our community.” He spoke about all the infrastructure that is going up around the community. “This is a dream come true for a lot of us.”
Anthony “Pete” Broncho offered an opening prayer and said, “I want all good things for the community.” Spring Creek sang an honor song, and the Fort Hall Casino and Hotel Flag Detail group posted the colors.
Former Fort Hall Recreation manager Mike Sakelaris speaks to the
groundbreaking attendees.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson said, “This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in our commitment to building a stronger, healthier community. The new Recreation Center will serve as a hub for our youth, elders, and families to gather, grow, and thrive for generations to come.” She also said, “We need something bigger, safer and something every community member can be a part of. This is for our community.”
Lee Juan Tendoy Fort Hall Business Council Vice Chairman spoke said, “The old ones who built Timbee Hall for us had a foresight, and we have one for this generation.” He talked about the past council members who also made it possible as they put money aside for it to become possible.
Fort Hall Recreation Center groundbreaking ceremony attendees.
Other FHBC members also gave comments. Miss Shoshone Bannock Myke Moore welcomed everyone and is excited to see many teams play at basketball tournaments in the new Recreation Center. Moore introduced the Early Childhood royalty that was also in attendance.
Fort Hall Recreation Center by MA Architects, projected to open Spring 2028.
Many community members attended the groundbreaking ceremony including the Early Childhood children, as Fort Hall Business Council member Nathan Small said, “This is for them, our future.”
Mike Sakelaris, past Recreation director for over 50 years said, “Probably three quarters of you participated with the Recreation program in some way, it’s pretty neat to see everyone here and it’s been along time coming for this to be built.”
Spring Creek sings an honor song with Flag Detail at the Fort Hall Recreation Center site.
Meyers Anderson Architects is the selected architects to design the building. Construction on the 67,000 square-foot Recreation Center is expected to begin in 2027, with completion anticipated in early 2028. The Recreation Center will be erected in the field north of the Early Childhood center and east of the Skate Park.
The FHBC approved a resolution back in February authorizing the Planning Department to construct a new facility to replace Timbee Hall and follow a similar floor plan to the Mountain Events Center in Pocatello.
Fort Hall Recreation Center groundbreaking ceremony attendees receive refreshments.
The funds are from the Wellness Center line item that has been collected from Gaming economic development funds.
The FHBC dissolved the existing Wellness Center Board effective immediately and the resolution superseded all other resolutions and directives regarding the wellness center.
It is now being referred to as the Fort Hall Recreation Center.
