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$4 million contract awarded for first phase of Sperry Chalet rebuild

This undated file photo provided by Glacier National Park/National Park Service shows the Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park, Mont. The National Park Service has approved plans to rebuild a century-old Montana hikers' dormitory that was destroyed in a fire last year in Glacier National Park. Glacier park spokeswoman Lauren Alley said Thursday, May 17, 2018, that work to reconstruct the Sperry Chalet is expected to begin in July after officials determined this week there would be no significant environmental impact. (AP)
By Eli Francovich elif@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

The National Park Service selected a Montana-based firm to rebuild the historic Sperry Chalet Tuesday.

The $4.08 million-dollar contract for the first phase of the rebuild went to Dick Anderson Construction out of Great Falls, Mont.

Work on phase one of the rebuild is expected to start in July and go through mid-fall, weather permitting, according to a National Parks Service news release.

The first phase will include installation of interior seismic walls, roofing and other building stabilization technologies. The National Park Service expedited the normal open bidding process. A spokesperson for the park service told the Missoulian that they sped it up in an effort to meet project deadlines.

According to Federal Election Commission records Dick Anderson donated more than $5,000 to Ryan Zinke’s 2014 Congressional bid. Zinke is now the secretary of the Interior. The Department of the Interior manages the National Parks Service.

The second, and final phase, is scheduled for the summer of 2019.

The total rebuild is expected to cost between $8 and $12 million.

“The outpouring of support for this project has been inspiring,” said Doug Mitchell, Executive Director of the Glacier National Park Conservancy in a news release. “We’re honored to help provide private, philanthropic support for this historic project.”

The Sperry Chalet was burned to the ground in 2017 during the Sprague Fire. In March officials announced four guiding plans for rebuilding the chalet. The public was invited to weigh in on the four options up until April.

The rebuilt chalet will have the original stone masonry walls and will preserve much of the chalet’s look and feel while updating certain critical components. That will include seismic bracing and fire-resistant materials, according to the news release.

For more information visit the National Park Service’s chalet webpage.