Northern Light’s Breaks Ground for New Trout Creek Montana Warehouse
PrintOur Trout Creek, Montana warehouse has served the cooperative well through the years, providing a local base to support the needs of our Membership in the Sanders County Montana area.
In the next couple of weeks, NLI will begin construction on a new warehouse and small office to replace the existing building. Montana-based St. Clair Construction is the general contractor for this project.
The current building was purchased sometime after the construction of the Noxon Rapids Dam, which was completed in 1959. The building was previously used as a bunkhouse for workers at the dam. It was set up with small open-top cubicles about 6 feet by 8 feet, each with a bunk bed and place to store clothing. There also was a cafeteria-style dining area. There may even have been a small bar at one time.
Outside the warehouse was a drive-in movie theater. Before NLI moved into the bunkhouse, it had a shed-like structure in the Trout creek area on the old gravel highway. The current-day Highway 200 was re-rerouted and paved through Trout Creek around the time the dam was built.
Our existing building has served its purpose and at the time it was purchased it was certainly an upgrade from the previous facility. However, that was over 60 years ago. Now the facility is need of costly repairs to make the space functional, efficient, and safe. Its now more cost effective to build a new facility. The new facility will have a small office, restroom, additional indoor storage space for materials, and additional indoor parking for utility vehicles. Additionally, a vehicle washing station will be constructed on one end of the new building. Our existing building will be demolished once the new building is completed.
These upgrades will support our local crews in continuing to provide quality service to our Sanders County Members for many years to come.
Former NLI lineman Cal Dunks and Gary Page (Gary’s father was a former NLI lineman), contributed the historical information provided.
