April 17, 2013--Developers have turned their focus to Whitefish as the possible home for a $70 million resort with a convention center and 150-room upscale hotel.

A feasibility analysis for the Two Elks Lodge and convention center is set to get underway in May. Developers say they could break ground as early as this fall, depending on the outcome of the study.

The boutique hotel, built in the style of Glacier Park lodges, would include 400-square-foot guest rooms, a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa.

The convention center would accommodate groups of up to 1,500 and banquets for 2,000.

A year-round ice skating rink is planned, along with a 45,000 square-foot indoor water park with a wave pool and splash park, an outdoor amphitheater, jogging trails, and a retail shopping plaza.

More than 400 new jobs are projected to be created.

The unnamed Midwest developer behind the proposed project is a former part-time resident of the Flathead Valley.

The resort complex will be dedicated to the memory of his late wife, who passed away from cancer. She reportedly wanted the lodge to be built in Whitefish.

"The project has always been destined for a Whitefish-area location," Montana West Economic Development Corp. president Kellie Danielson says. Montana West is partnering with the developers on the feasibility study.

"He wants to give back to the community," Danielson said. "He has a soft spot for Whitefish."

No specific site has been chosen, but the developer has numerous locations in mind that will be considered in the analysis. A tentative commitment of 63 percent of total funding has reportedly been secured.

Danielson says the analysis will look at the demographics and market size of Whitefish, logistics of operation, and the current climate of the convention center trade.

"That's all factored into if the project is feasible or not," Danielson said. "An analysis could suggest something smaller or larger."

"The analysis could derail the project or motivate the developer."

Danielson says there have been discussions for several years about building a convention center in the Flathead.

"We're excited that there is a developer interested and a study being conducted."

Whitefish Convention and Visitor Bureau director Jan Metzmaker says the hotel and convention center could be a benefit to the city.

"Anytime we can enhance our facilities is great," she said.

Metzmaker does questions the logistics of getting thousands of people here for a convention, noting the limited number of daily flights to Glacier Park International airport.

"We're always working on getting more flights here," she added.

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Dori Muehlhof said the chamber board supports the feasibility study.

"The project, if it were to become a reality, matches our economic goals," she said.

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