Proposed Depot Park Stage: Whitefish Parks and Recreation Community Engagement Request for Input

Although I do not have strong opposition to a stage in Depot Park, I am very apprehensive. It is so important to have green space that is not developed or have structures on it and we have so little of this in our community. A number of our parks already have structures on them. Although a stage might be nice for some events, I'm not sure this is a good idea for all the time. Here are my questions / concerns:
- How often is a stage needed at Depot Park or would possibly get utilized?
- It's wonderful to sit at the park and look up and see Big Mtn and such. Will this obstruct the view?
- How much green space will the stage take up?
- Not all events utilize Depot Park in the same way. Would there be a universal location for the stage that would work for the typical events we see at the park?
Thank you for taking the time to thoroughly vet this idea and do what is best for the community as a whole.

As someone who has been to many events in Depot Park over the past 10 years, I think it would be a wonderful improvement to the park. I fully support it.

I have read every comment to date. It seems clear the majority favor the Stage and for solid reasons. The minority's opposition comments are not substantiated in many cases and easily addressed. One minority comment said ''no more industrial tourism.' What exactly is 'industrial tourism"? Does this town not survive in large part due to tourism?
Would the Stage really be a driver of new tourism? I'm not certain of that, and wouldn't that help the existing vendors?
Place it between the big willow trees out of the sun where people currently sit. This retains the view of the train station.
The Gazebo at the SE corner keeps a few people out of the sun or rain. It is not a reasonable space for performance. There are options and ways to mitigate possible vagrancy at the Stage.
I see this project as a win - win for the arts and community at large. It's fully funded including a maintenance budget. No costs to tax payers. I believe I read here that The Parks board supports the Stage as well.

This is a great idea. I’ve seen the design and it looks like it would be a great place for actors, artists and musicians to perform. All for it!

Letter from The Skola school in Whitefish. 5/5/2026

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Dear Members of the Whitefish Community,
I am writing on behalf of The Skola, a nonprofit school committed to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and connection. We strongly support the proposal for a performance stage in Depot Park, a central gathering place that embodies the heart of our town and brings neighbors, families, and visitors together in meaningful ways.
Music and the performing arts have the power to unite across generations and backgrounds. A stage in Depot Park would provide a welcoming, accessible venue to celebrate our diverse talents and shared values of openness, collaboration, and a strong sense of place in Whitefish. The stage could accommodate concerts, dance, storytelling, and community dialogues, fostering both spontaneous moments of joy and purposeful, planned connections.
We anticipate tangible benefits such as strengthened community bonds through regular outdoor performances. This could easily be a platform for local talent, especially students and families, to shine. This could also enhance hands-on learning opportunities in the arts through planning, performance, and reflection. A well-managed,活 vibrant stage could enliven downtown, attract visitors, and support local businesses, reinforcing the vitality at the heart of Whitefish.
To ensure success and inclusion, we advocate for a collaborative, community-centered approach: flexible programming that includes student showcases and family-friendly events; active youth involvement; transparent planning with partnerships among schools, libraries, arts organizations, and local businesses; thoughtful attention to accessibility and affordable attendance; and responsible stewardship of Depot Park with safety and maintenance in mind.
The Skola stands ready to contribute through student performances, volunteer coordination, audience outreach, and integrated educational programming. We envision a space that not only entertains but also strengthens the social fabric of Whitefish by reflecting the town’s heart and diversity.
We invite the community, city leadership, and stakeholders to participate in planning. Together, we can shape a space that amplifies shared values, uplifts local talent, and honors the essential role Depot Park plays in our community.
Thank you for your time and commitment to the arts as a unifying force at the heart of Whitefish. We look forward to a bright, inclusive future for our town.
With gratitude and hope,
Brooke Ober, Head of School

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Stage Feedback Letter from spring,2026

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May 6, 2026

Maria Butts
Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
City of Whitefish

Dear Maria,

I’m writing on behalf of the Whitefish Theatre Company (WTC) to voice our support for the proposed Depot Park Stage.

As a neighbor housed in the O’Shaughnessy Center adjacent to Depot Park, WTC is always happy to see the town of Whitefish embrace projects that enhance the arts. It is always exciting to see that there are enthusiastic patrons of our town that want to privately fundraise to add a different kind of venue to the arts scene. As a premier community theatre that is soon to be embarking on 48th season in Whitefish, it is exciting to see different spaces – especially outdoor spaces – that could be used as new gathering spots for music, theatre, presentations, and other events. When not hosting a show of our own, the O’Shaughnessy Center is often rented during almost all other free times. Another performance venue is surely needed and will definitely be used.

Despite its proximity to the O’Shaughnessy Center, the Depot Park Stage would pose no negative impacts to WTC. We mostly run our season from late September to early June. It is likely that the majority of use for the Depot Park Stage would run from June through September (although use could happen at other times as well). We do not foresee any event conflict with the addition of this stage. Many of the arts organizations in Whitefish have an open dialogue about scheduling and we would be happy to coordinate with this event space in our annual scheduling.

While WTC does not have any particular ideas about using the Depot Park Stage at this time, it may be a case of “build it and they will come”. It is interesting to think about small performances in an outdoor setting and I could imagine that our summer theatre camps for kids could utilize a space like this for some public camp performances. At the very least, we can see how many local artists and musicians could use a space like this during the summer, late spring and early fall timeframe. Many of these artists are friends and collaborators of ours and an additional venue, especially an outdoor one in the park, would be a welcome addition for our artist community.

Again, please accept my full support for the Depot Park Stage project. I can be reached at the contact information below if you have any additional questions.

Best regards,
Jennifer Asebrook
Executive Director, Whitefish Theatre Company
jen@whitefishtheatreco.org
(406) 862-5371

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Text from the survey flyer past spring.

HELP US BUILD THE STAGE
 AT DEPOT PARK
{ drawing shows Stage between the two big trees)
 info- thestageatdepotpark@gmail.com

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MORE STAGE LETTERS and backstory docs.

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📝 Introductory Memo
Whitefish Depot Park Stage
Prepared by: Brogan Thomsen
Date: December 2025, edited April 2026
🎯 Purpose
This memo outlines the current concepts and design points for the proposed Depot Park Stage
in Whitefish. These ideas reflect discussions by the core group over the past year(s) and remain
subject to change as planning evolves.
👥 Core Group & Roles

Lions Club – Nonprofit sponsor
Ed Boggs – Main idea mover
Doug Rhodes – Architect
Casey Garland – Construction consultant, takeoffs
Brogan Thomsen – Construction help, labor, funding support,media
Toby Scott – Expert consultant
Don Rodie – Interested party, NVMS board member
Steve Lull – Funding consultant
Bill Montgomery- Venue Expert
Casey Malmquist- MutiConsultant
JK & JM - Overall Support Consult
🏗 Main Concept
Stage Dimensions: Approx. 24’ wide × 20’ deep
Roof/Overhang: Sloped, swept-up structure for weather protection; possible curved elements
Materials: Wood beams and natural finishes
Form: Narrower at back, widening walls toward front (amphitheater style)

Architectural Harmony: Consider matching style with the historic Train Depot, those corbels @ roof.
🎶 Intended Uses

Music in the Park series
Summer weekly use as alternative to pop up tent, equipment set up
Provide a more stable consistent structure
Shakespeare productions
Whitefish Theatre Company venue
Whitefish Songwriter Festival
Alpine Theater Project productions
Skola school productions
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce events, Octoberfest, Huckleberry Days, ..
Songwriters Groups
NVMS Outdoor Productions
All-community events and gatherings
⚙ Functional Features

Load/Unload Ease: Concrete or paver pads on sides, posssibe front
Storage Component: Shed behind/sides for heavy equip, sound
Raised Platform: Allows roll out cart/ equip storage underneath
Raised Platform : Allows better sight lines and “ out of the snow”
Back of Stage: Movable walls/doors for expansion and Green Room function
Electrical Service: Nearby access for productions
Hardscape Expansion: Potential for larger productions (e.g., symphony concerts)..names on Pavers =Funding.
🌟 Vision
The Depot Park Stage is envisioned as a flexible, community-centered performance space that
blends practical construction with artistic ambition. It will serve as a hub for music, theatre, and cultural events, while honoring the architectural character of the Train Depot and the spirit of Whitefish

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May 6, 2026

Whitefish Park Board
Whitefish City Hall
418 E. Second Street
Whitefish, MT 59937

Dear Park Board members:

As we have for more than 15 years, the Whitefish Chamber supports the concept of building a permanent stage/bandshell in Depot Park for the use and enjoyment of our community. With that in mind, we encourage you to give due consideration to the project currently being proposed by Ed Boggs, Brogan Thomsen and other community members.

If designed with utility, flexibility and aesthetics in mind – and if appropriately sized and sited to minimize visual impacts as well as possible impacts to existing events and activities which utilize the park – we feel that a bandshell would be a valuable addition to park and our community.

Should the Park Board opt to further study this proposal, the Chamber would be happy to participate on any committee or task force that may be formed to consider such issues as design, utility and placement of a future Depot Park Bandshell.

With best regards,



Kevin O. Gartland
Executive Director


(406) 862-3501 • www.whitefishchamber.org
PO Box 1120 • 505 Second Street East • Whitefish, MT 59937 • visit@whitefishchamber.org

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Copy of Stage letters.

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April 28, 2026
Dear City Councilors and Parks Board Members,
On behalf of the students, faculty, and board of North Valley Music School (NVMS), I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for the proposal to construct a permanent performance stage in Depot Park.
As Montana’s only nonprofit community music school, NVMS has spent nearly 30 years building a "musical village" here in Whitefish. While our new campus at Smith Fields provides a home for instruction, Depot Park remains the premiere "public living room" of our city. A permanent stage in this location would be a transformative investment in our community’s cultural and economic vitality for the following reasons:
• A Professional Platform for Local Youth: For our 700+ students, performing in public is a vital part of their education. A permanent, high-quality stage would provide a dignified and professional venue for student concerts and community recitals, elevating the experience for student performers and their families.
• Organizational Sustainability for Nonprofits: Currently, hosting events in Depot Park requires significant logistical and financial hurdles for nonprofits, including the cost and labor of renting, transporting, and assembling temporary staging. A permanent structure would lower the barrier to entry for local organizations to host concerts, workshops, and festivals, allowing more funds to go directly toward mission-driven programming.
• Enhancing the Cultural Corridor: Depot Park is the anchor of downtown Whitefish. A permanent stage would stabilize the infrastructure for the Whitefish Farmers’ Market and any summer concerts, enhancing our cultural landmark.
• Economic & Social Connection: Music is a proven driver of downtown foot traffic. By providing a consistent venue for performances, the City encourages residents and visitors to linger longer, supporting our local businesses and fostering the social cohesion that makes Whitefish an amazing place to work and live.
We urge the Council to prioritize this infrastructure project as a legacy investment in the arts. Let’s work together to ensure that the soundtrack of Whitefish has a permanent home.
With gratitude,
Deidre Corson
NVMS Executive Director
Changing Lives Through Music Since 1997!
PO Box 4446 1998 River Lakes Parkway Whitefish, MT 59937 ~northvalleymusicschool.org ~ 406.862.8074


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5/5/2926 Depot Park Stage Support
Dear Parks and Recreation,
Please accept this letter of support for the proposed stage project in Depot Park. A multi-use stage would add to the uniqueness of Whitefish. Downtown Whitefish prides itself on being box-store free, fiercely local, and offering both tourists and residents one-of-kind experiences, be it shopping, lodging, dining, or cultural amenities. A dedicated performance space in Depot Park opens the door for music, dance, theatre-both local and visiting- (e.g. MT Shakespeare in the park), announcements for community functions like Great Fish Challenge, Whitefish Trails Hootenanny, and much more. The cost of this is not the issue. It could be built with 100% private
donation. Bigfork, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls all have these amenities in their parks which help to underpin the cultural fabric of their communities. Additionally, a modestly-sized
permanent stage could add to the park’s aesthetic (in my humble opinion… far more than the large gazebo on the southeast corner currently does).
As far as obstructing the view of the BNSF depot… a smartly-designed open back stage would obstruct roughly eighty percent less than trees already do.
Thanks for your time and consideration, and for your care and caution in continually preserving and bettering our public spaces.
Sincerely,
Nick Spear

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A committed group of about 10 locals have been gathering about a Stage at Depot Park for over a year. As noted we requested feedback via a survey back in April. Most were positive. Quite a few letters were written about the project. I will copy a few here so everyone can have a fuller backstory.

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Depot Park Stage Support. 5/4/2026
On behalf of Big Sky Troubadours, and our affiliated non-profit, the Troubadour
Arts Initiative, a Depot Park outdoor stage would be a huge boon to our
performances and community initiatives. In the next years, Troubadour Arts
Initiative will facilitate songwriting workshops, camps and music therapy sessions
in Whitefish, and the Depot Park stage would be the perfect place to present the
final performances. Recently, schoolchildren from Skola were invited to attend a
Big Sky Troubadours concert at 101 Central so they could perform the song
they’d written. I recall specifically thinking that a family-oriented, outdoor venue
would have been much more appropriate. Such a venue would have allowed far
more community involvement and awareness of what the kids had accomplished.
An outdoor stage allows accessibility, which is paramount when it comes to the
arts and how it strengthens communities. I fully support the effort to bring this
stage to life, and would love to be involved in the process- Jo Smith
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May 5, 2026

Maria Butts
Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services
City of Whitefish

Dear Maria,

I’m writing on behalf of Alpine Theatre Project to express our enthusiastic support for the proposed Depot Park Stage.

ATP is a professional nonprofit theater company based here in Whitefish. Each summer we bring Broadway professionals to town for our Broadway Summer Camp and other productions, and throughout the year we produce work ranging from large-scale shows at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center to more intimate performances in our own theater space. What we don’t currently have—and what this project would provide—is an outdoor venue for the kinds of productions that belong outside: acoustic showcases, smaller-scale performances, and theatre and events that invite the whole community in.

Many of the local musicians and artists in the Flathead Valley are friends and collaborators of ours, and we’ve seen firsthand how much energy and connection live outdoor performance generates in a community. A permanent stage in Depot Park would give all of us—professional companies, local artists, community organizations—a shared home for that work, without the logistics of building a temporary setup every time.

Whitefish already has the audience and the talent for this. A dedicated stage simply makes it easier for both to show up.

Thank you for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can answer any questions.

Warmly,
Cynthia Benkelman
Executive Director
Alpine Theatre Project
cynthia@atpwhitefish.org
atpwhitefish.org

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Shannon Fremont-Smith
Director, Whitefish Arts Fes val
director@whitefishartsfes val.org
406-471-1903

May 6, 2026
City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Board of Directors
418 E Second St
Whitefish, MT 59937
RE: Letter of Support for the Depot Park Stage Project
Dear Members of the Parks and Recrea on Board,
I am writng in support of the proposed Depot Park stage project on behalf of the Whitefish Arts Festival.
As Director of the Whitefish Arts Festival, I have had conversations with the group promoting
this undertaking, and I appreciate the time and effort they have taken to truly listen to my
concerns regarding both the placement and design of the structure. Their willingness to engage thoughtully with community input has been encouraging and speaks highly of their
commitment to creatong a project that serves the broader public interest.
I believe a permanent stage has long been a missing piece of Depot Park. While this project does not provide any particular direct benefit to the Whitefish Arts Festival itself, I recognize the
value it could bring to Depot Park and to the Whitefish community as a whole. A well-designed stage has the potential to enhance community gatherings, performances, and public events,
while further activating one of the city’s most important public spaces.
Please consider this le er an endorsement of both the project itself and the group working to
bring it forward. I appreciate the thoughtful approach they have taken and support their efforts to improve Depot Park for the benefit of our community.
Sincerely,
Shannon Fremont-Smith
Director, Whitefish Arts Festival

Also I read other comments about too many tourists in the Park. I thought we like tourists to come and buy food, farmers stuff and art? This seems to be what we want in Whitefish. Besides a better platform or stage would not cause more tourists to come…..it would just make them happier and more comfortable. We all Win ! I get much of my fresh food and food truck goodies at the Depot Park and love sitting enjoying some good music there. As someone else mentioned it is great to be able to sit in some shade during the hot summer events there. So please locate this Stage so we can continue to sit in the shade and enjoy our park. Thanks.

This seems like a really needed addition to the nice Depot Park. Much better than the little temporary tent they put up every week. Best to locate near those big trees so as keeping the central field open for frisbee and play and other Park like activity uses. They say the funding is all from regular citizens in town…so costs us nothing. A Win Win for sure.

Our family supports a stage in Depot Park, it's a no brainer for Whitefish! Our community values the arts and the outdoors, and we love them together! I have faith that we can develop a design that will make everybody happy!

I wholeheartedly support a permanent stage for Whitefish's Depot Park.

It is possible to design and build a permanent stage without altering the open space feel, blocking views of the mountains or the train depot. The park covers an area of two acres which works out to roughly 83,000 square feet. A 20'x15' footprint (300 s.f.) is negligible. There are several strategic locations in the park that would not interfere with the activitirs and function of the park as it is right now.

A permanent stage in Deot Park would be a brilliant addition and l support it wholeheartedly. I understand that there are many pro's and con's but l believe the positive aspects far outweigh the negative. It's just a matter of finding a design that works for everyone involved.

A bandshell should not be installed in Depot Park. The existing Master Plan for Depot Park, through an extensive public process, thoughtfully considered ALL users of the park while maximizing green space in an urban environment, maintaining views of the mountains and the historic train depot and connecting the historic depot to the downtown while also providing a multi-modal hub for the community. Since seeing a flyer about adding a bandshell, I’ve paid particular attention to the usage of the park when out walking my dog and biking or driving through downtown. There is an amazing variety of usage of this park – including families having picnics, groups convening to enjoy the greenspace, friends tossing a ball and people simply stretching out on the lawn enjoying the park. The Parks Department does an amazing job keeping the park maintained for all these people. Adding a bandshell will turn this park into a venue for the tourists. While used for great community events, it really is a park for the people. There are many places for the public to view live music in town, including every Tuesday during the Farmer’s Market. Please do not clutter our park with a band shell, open green space in a downtown environment is valuable and should not be eliminated.

Depot Park is such a great gathering space for arts and culture! A small, permanent stage structure would be an amazing addition to our community. As a musical performer, a stage would allow for safe and easy set up in all types of weather and could provide a dry space to get equipment, artists, and performers off the ground for all of our public events such as farmers markets and art festivals. Easy up tents do very little and are not able to provide the sound quality that a stage could. The space could provide for far more than just music. As an outdoor educator and naturalist, I could foresee public presentations, public forums, and educational opportunities taking place. The structure could also provide revenue for upkeep as a rental space under a well managed permit system. I understand the desire to keep the space natural and I would expect careful planning, design and input in the process. With a degree in Parks and Rec, I believe that a well-planned permanent structure has the ability to cut down on the environmental impact of temporary stages and trampling. If designed well, a small stage could blend into the character and natural aesthetic of the park. I look forward to seeing what is possible! Thanks!

A stage in the heart of a town is structural evidence that music, live performances, and the arts are valued and nurtured. I believe with good planning, design and aesthetics a stage could be built to host a variety of music and the arts while simultaneously building community.
I am for a stage that does not instruct with the view of our historic depot and matches it with history and intention.
A stage would be a vibrant addition to depot park.

I would love to see a stage in Depot Park. It would work great for small acts that are here for events, as well as more popular groups that are touring the area. It could be rented out for a wide variety of events, so you would need an inclusive, yet controlled policy. The fees generated from the rental would help with maintaining the grounds and paying for liability insurance. Most performers carry liability insurance, but that could be a requirement in their contract.

The upside is very high. The community benefits from a wide variety of creative artists, and an actual professional stage with the proper electrical hookups, structural support and cover will attract great talent.