Call Holland Lake Lodge for dinner reservations at 406.754.2282 or email info@hollandlakelodge.com. However, one week following a contentious public meeting about the proposal, Flathead National Forest Public Information Officer Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will conduct some type of environmental review, although the agency has not determined the extent of it, nor is it legally bound to complete an environmental study. number you provided, including marketing by autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice, and This Master Development Plan is intended to preserve the spirit and integrity of what is here, while upgrading facilities so we can share this place with guests for years to come, Wohlfeil saidin a statement. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. Montana people are sort of sensitive to all the people moving in and all the crowds coming with Covid, he said. I have an attachment myself, but Im also really excited for someone new to come in and do what they want to do.. For example, Holland Lake Lodge transferred a liquor license to a separate Holland Lake Lodge Restaurant LLC, according to Department of Revenue records. We look forward to continuing this legacy, Sibley said in a statement. We dont get the opportunity to make sure theyre considering all the important resources.. In addition, several new buildings will be added, including a 13,000-square-foot lodge with 28 rooms, a 3,000-square-foot restaurant, a 2,000-square-foot welcome center for check-in, 10 650-square-foot cabins, 16 smaller studio cabins and new support buildings for maintenance and employee housing. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. Holland Lake Lodge, Condon: See 159 traveler reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Holland Lake Lodge, ranked #1 of 2 specialty lodging in Condon and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. What will happen to water quality? The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan source for trusted news, commentary and insight into statewide policy and politics beneath the Big Sky. He came to MTPR as an evening newscast intern that summer, and jumped at the chance to join full-time as the stations morning voice in Fall 2022. Treating yourself or a loved one to a stay at the Lodge, or items in our gift shop, is now easier than ever. After the sale, Gardner said he was looking for whats next., I stumbled upon this opportunity, he said. And he said the Forest Service needs to know and present accurately to the public the actual scope of the permit and project. Otherwise, consider buying a gift card for you or a loved one. I want to get other investors on board and open the opportunity to other Montanans, he explained. One resident told me she worries the lodge would harm the quality of the watershed. As a resort company known for its ski hills seeks to expand the 1940s historic Holland Lake Lodge, locals are pushing back. Learn More Stay At the public meeting last week, Flathead Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele admitted to the public the Forest Service initially presented the scope of the project as a footprint of 15 acres, same as the current resort, according to the Missoulian. The Mail on Sunday has learned that the Sussexes will be mocked in a one-off special of Channel 4's The Windsors (pictured), with a plotline based on their unconfirmed attendance at the Coronation. Not Subject to Regulations, Project Activity If the Forest Service considers all the infrastructure currently in place, she said its greater than 15 acres based on a preliminary assessment. She declined to confirm POWDR is in control of the lodge and didnt discuss the ownership structure. Directions: North on MT-83 N, East onto Holland Lake Road, continue onto Holland Lake Lodge Road. We try our best to accommodate all walk-in parties. "It needs enough income structure here to be a viable, healthy business. Frequent letters to the editor in newspapers across western Montana show voices in opposition to the project. Save Holland Lake, an advance group thats grown out of the communitys frustration, released a press release raising concerns over the Forest Services handling of the public process, potential violations of the lodges permit to operate on public land, and pushing for a full environmental review of the proposal. The Master Development Plan (MDP) is intended to preserve the spirit and integrity of what is here while upgrading facilities so we can share this place with guests for years to come. Flathead National Forest is proposing facility expansion of Holland Lake Lodge. Montana Public Radio | Built in 1924 as a small guest accommodation and rebuilt after a fire in 1947, Holland Lake Lodge currently consists of 16 buildings and structures, including a main lodge building, a. *30 guests or less. Thursday, a Flathead National Forest spokesperson said mapping is underway to clarify the acreage currently in use. Learn More Stay Before joining States Newsroom Montana, she served as city editor of the Missoulian, the largest news outlet in western Montana. It was an amazing opportunity, said new owner Michael Gardner. Scale back, one commenter wrote. This is why the current owner, Christian Wohlfeil, has been looking to sell the property. After getting few nibbles, he againlisted itwith a Bozeman realtor in 2019 for $3.49 million. Gardner grew up in Scobey and used to split his time between there and California until he came to Missoula in 2005 to visit his sister, who was in law school, and wound up crashing on her couch. This week, a group that formed to oppose the expansion released a petition asking the Forest Service to "protect Montana from industrial tourism and commercial recreation on our public land" by not granting the permit. But thousands of people have already submitted comments based on the original plan, Lombardi said: What is the administrative procedure now that they dont know? As a resort company known for its ski hills seeks to expand the 1940s historic Holland Lake Lodge, locals are pushing back. A few miles down the road from the mercantile, Shirley and Loyd Hahn live in a log home. District: Swan Lake Ranger District Project Documents Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. It cites as one example termination upon change of control of the business entity.. Alternatively, these documents can be accessed on the Pinyon Public website: View Documents on Pinyon Public, https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746. Kristine Akland, with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the Forest Services preliminary decision to grant a categorical exclusion doesnt square with a proposal to possibly triple capacity at the lodge. In the first season, there will be some changes but nothing too big, Gardner said. There was a problem saving your notification. As a result, the Forest Service must approve all modifications. The environment and ecosystems where we work and operate is our top priority and we have no desire to conduct business in a way that undermines that. As of Sunday, more than 2,800 people . He wants to eventually extend the operating season from 135 days to 220 days, from April 1 through Oct. 30, and to be open the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. For example, the Forest Service estimates peak use at 500 people a night for the campground, group site and Owl Packer Camp, not including the day-use area. Wohlfeil, who has owned the lodge for 20 years, recently sold minority shares to POWDR, a ski resort and adventure life company, in anticipation of a full transfer in the future. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Although he admits the capacity at the lodge would be at least twice its current limit, he also said the number of additional visitors should be viewed in the context of all of the use at the lake. He also wants to increase the dining and lodging capacities by adding indoor and outdoor seating, installing the eco-yurts and opening the owners residence to guests. You have permission to edit this article. 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately, 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage, 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent, Difference between agent, broker & REALTOR, Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met, Before You Buy, Look for Red Flags in the Neighborhood, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Holland Lake Lodge is a soulful place, where families spend time in the outdoors with the people they love. Location Summary. Another worries a bigger lodge would attract wealthier visitors that could push valley residents out. (Daily Montanan) POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records. Its well-loved and now must be well-cared for by a team with the knowledge and resources to renovate these spaces while retaining the character that makes them special. Variations of that theme that the proposed expansion is just too big for Condon emerge as I continued my trip through town. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. If he was starting from scratch, he said, he would understand the call for a full environmental study, but the Forest Service suggested the owners ask for a categorical exclusion because the resort is already in operation. update to your home value. There will be the addition of some new structures to add capacity. The proposal noted owners Christian Wohlfeil and POWDR, of Park City, Utah, had submitted the joint application to expand and improve the resort. Thursday, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality noted it had received the lodges application to construct two public water wells so they can be tested for quality and quantity. POWDR told MTPR a new master development plan will be submitted sometime in 2023. The Lodge is currently accepting bookings for the 2023 season, with limited availability. And that is a sad state of affairs.. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and Twitter. On my way out of town, I made one last stop and visited with a resident who says hes not at all surprised by the backlash. A Missoula entrepreneur is under contract to purchase the historic Holland Lake Lodge in the Swan Valley north of Seeley Lake and plans to extend its season, install eco-yurts and perhaps find partners for music festivals. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who plans to expand, extend season. Our company was founded on the premise of providing broad access to the outdoors in a safe, sustainable manner that would create generations of nature lovers who, in turn, would join us in becoming advocates of ecological stewardship. As proposed, the Master Development Plan will restore the proper foundation and infrastructure to the property. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. As always, we are grateful to the community and all those who have made comments and welcome their feedback regarding our plans at www.hollandlakefuture.com. We recently received a request from the U.S. Forest Service to provide more detail on our Master Development Plan. I want to continue the legacy of this special, magical, wonderful lodge, he said. The current plan does not mention helicopter skiing, but Akland said that doesnt preclude the company from making a request in the future. Right now, the foundation of the lodge is crumbling, and wed like to put it on an actual foundation and preserve it for future generations, Wohlfeil said. If the project moves forwards, she said the Forest Service will prepare an analysis to present to the public and open another public comment period likely after the first of the year. POWDR has built its brand on the premise of delivering soulful experiences that matter to guests and reflect the local community. 8717, 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon, MT 59826, 2023 by POWDR. It will prioritize renewable energy and precautions to prevent negative water, air, or soil impacts. I ran operations for the Montana Food Bank Network and then met (local video and internet entrepreneur) Hank Green, he said. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge expansion proposal this fall. The key thing is reinvesting profits back into the company. We will share more information on the NEPA process when its available. View 127 homes that sold recently in Brookfield, IL with a median transaction price of $257,000 at realtor.com. Holland Lake Lodge is best known for our dinners featuring fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Yeah, I just dont think theyll stay, Shirley Hahn said. Ive seen (mergers and acquisitions), Ive been in nonprofits, Ive been in publicly traded companies, I was the VP of a massive global media conglomerate. This home has a n/a noise level for the surrounding area. But citing public records, the memo from Corn and Browder identifies changes it alleges already place control of Holland Lake Lodge in the hands of POWDR. 23.7 miles from Holland Lake Lodge St. Ignatius Sunset Motel View Hotel 20 reviews 24.9 miles from Holland Lake Lodge Free Wifi Free parking Top Rated Breakfast included Red Lion Ridgewater Inn & Suites Polson View Hotel 193 reviews 29.2 miles from Holland Lake Lodge Free Wifi Free parking Visit hotel website Breakfast included Bayview Inn Proudly created with Wix.com, Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. and its joint venture partner, POWDR, announced that they have submitted a. , a rustic lakeside resort located in the Swan Valley, which was originally built in 1924 and last updated in 1947. Many locals were outraged after they learned of Utah-based resort company POWDRs plan to buy and triple the capacity of the lodge in September five months after the company submitted the plan to the Forest Service. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. In our resubmittal, we will support the Forest Services recommendation to conduct an Environmental Assessment. Categorical Exclusion This indicates that for the last 18 months, the Lodges corporate affairs have been conducted by POWDRs legal department,' the memo said. The permit states the holder shall notify the Forest Service when a change in control is contemplated, and it defines changes in part as a joint venture or a third party having ability to exercise management authority of the business. Together, they look forward to expanding guest services and activities, while preserving the unique and special character of what is here now. Austin graduated from the University of Montanas journalism program in May 2022. You may also be interested in single family homes and condo/townhomes that sold in popular zip codes like 60148, 60647, or neighboring cities, such as Chicago, Naperville, La Grange, Berwyn, Downers Grove. One dog-gone expensive hound is slated to be stationed near the entrance to Missoulas newest dog park. email, from realtor.com and, Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home', Selling your home? Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. and its joint venture partner, POWDR, announced that they have submitted aMaster Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Serviceto improve accommodations atHolland Lake Lodge, a rustic lakeside resort located in the Swan Valley, which was originally built in 1924 and last updated in 1947. The current proposed updates to the infrastructure would be more sustainable for the lake as they are made to help with conservation and environmental protection. My daughter is in the Navy stationed in Okinawa. Wohlfeil has owned and managed the resort for 20 years, according to the application. However, spokesperson Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will continue to evaluate the issue. Corn and Browder, who live in Ravalli County, said they discussed their opposition to the project and subsequently conducted the review; they did the work independently of the Save Holland Lake group, which formed to fight the expansion. Guests enjoy breathtaking sunsets, the fresh mountain air over the lake, hikes to the roaring falls, and delicious dinners. Want to bring a larger group to the Lodge?Book all of our rooms and cabins to enjoy a uniquely private, personalized get-together for $5565 per night. So we have to ask for as much as we want to do now, he said. 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon MT 59826. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. He said the Forest Service needs to confirm the acreage in question. We see an opportunity to make needed improvements to the Lodge to ensure its a place where the public is able to experience the area and be touched in the same way we are. Keila Szpaller is deputy editor of the Daily Montanan and covers education. The acreage is a complicated one, she said. She also confirmed a second public comment period will take place after more analysis and acreage clarifications., This really is just the beginning of this process, MacKenzie said. Condon unrolls along an evergreen-lined stretch of Highway 83 a strung-out series of homes, two churches, and a bar and diner. Just this summer, he said he received 4,000 inquiries via email alone about cabins, and he was sold out from April through September. POWDR has said that the expanded lodge will allow the company to open access for more people to enjoy Montanas outdoor spaces. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge expansion proposal this fall. The lodge was built in 1924 but burned down in 1946 and was rebuilt in 1947. NEPA or Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document Available (est. More than 6,500 public comments have been submitted to the Forest Service, and Save Holland Lake estimated nearly 99 percent of them opposed the project. The current permit identifies Holland Lake Lodge as the holder and lists Wohlfeil as owner of the lodge. There are a lot of people that believe the use of a categorical exclusion would be illegal, said Akland, a lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity. Gardners plan is to attract investors, starting at $25,000, and to reinvest profits back into the property. Thousands of people submitted online comments to the Forest Service regarding POWDRs proposed project, the vast majority of which were against the expansion. A career in the insurance industry doesn't exactly sound "sexy," but one Missoula firm is giving its employees generous benefits and career gr. But the memo released this week by lawyers George Corn and Daniel Browder alleges control of the joint venture between Wohlfeil and POWDR terminated the current permit and should have triggered an application for a new permit. The property also holds six guest cabins, a gift shop, owner's cabin and two outbuildings. Gardner eventually became chief operating officer and chief strategy officer for VidCon, which was started by Green and his brother, John Green, and grew to become the worlds largest celebration of digital video and online creators. Ive been there, done that. The expansion proposal discusses a project of 15 acres. Ive been around.. Gardner, 39, recently worked with Missoula real estate agent Shannon Hilliard to buy the property from its longtime former owner. But the plan has not been popular with the public, in part because the Forest Service said it may not complete a full environmental assessment or more extensive environmental impact statement, or EIS, before approving the project. At meetings and in public comment, many members of the public also decried the agencys initial decision to excuse the project from a thorough environmental review by granting a categorical exclusion. However, MacKenzies email Thursday noted the agency will conduct at least an environmental assessment if the project moves ahead. There has been no change since we (Powdr) originally partnered with Christian and Holland Lake, LLC, Hutchinson said in the email. . One of its most striking attributes is actually something its missing noise. Holland Lake Lodge is about three miles to east of the Montana HWY 83. Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. Theres just not much left.. At first glance, it looks like residents of Condon have united behind the same candidate for office. She also said questions about acreage still need to be answered, and figuring out boundaries is not straightforward. If we can do year round operations, it would be at least 20 year round jobs, which we could then do full medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits, Wohlfeil said. In an earlier interview, he said he recently sold minority shares to POWDR, which operates ski resorts and bills itself as an adventure life company. Located on the north side of Holland Lake near the East Holland Connector Trail (trail . Then, in 2017, he put it up for sale. Planned upgrades for the wastewater and sewage systems, non-motorized boat docks and employee housing will improve guest experience and ensure that those working at the lodge have clean, safe accommodations. Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele issued a letter in November essentially telling POWDR to try again, citing inaccuracies and inconsistencies within the companys proposal. We will share more of those details in the coming weeks. buy a gift card items available: We believe Holland Lake Lodge, Inc., has already violated its USFS Term Special Use Permit by its transactions with POWDR Corporation, reads the Nov. 15 memo and records review addressed to interested parties.. After years of searching and considering new owners, Christian selected and partnered with POWDR to continue his vision of inclusivity in a newer and more sustainable Holland Lake Lodge. Seriously. And thats a direct quote from a woman in Condon.. "It was an amazing opportunity," said new owner Michael Gardner. In Montana, liquor licenses can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy.. a product of First Street Foundation. Lead Management Unit POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records. This includes Holland Lake Lodge where guests have been coming for generations.". A Missoula entrepreneur is under contract to purchase the historic Holland Lake Lodge in the Swan Valley north of Seeley Lake and plans to extend its season, install eco-yurts and perhaps find partners for music festivals. Not only was that the case with Holland Lake Lodge, but also last year's sale of Glacier Raft Company to Pursuit Glacier Collection, a subsidiary of Viad Corp. On Thursday, the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest announced that it was taking public comment on a proposal to expand the Holland Lake Lodge facility near Seeley Lake. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge. But the big white signs with blue text that read Hands off Holland represent a campaign of a different kind. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. MacKenzie, with the Flathead National Forest, said the Forest Service has not yet made a decision to use a categorical exclusion. Its just a very pristine valley that has all kinds of wildlife, so were just puzzled and concerned why the Forest Service one, would propose a categorical exclusion, and two, didnt tell anyone until September when theyve had this planned until at least April of this year, Lombardi said. The memo states it is not suggesting POWDR has acted illegally. Driving north from Seeley Lake to Condon, the first sign pops up about 6 miles before the turn onto Holland Lake Road. Altogether, the facility hosted up to 45 guests during the summer months, making it a popular spot for weddings and other events looking for that authentic Montana feel. In addition,the East Holland Lake Connector Trailhead parking area would be expanded up to 3 acres. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. In the meantime, Lombardi pointed to grizzly bears, lynx, bull trout, elk, loons, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and said they all merit a rigorous environmental review. He lives just down the road from Holland Lake at the south end of town.