Park County is working with a group of Powell pickleball players on a plan to rent the Heart Mountain Hall twice-weekly during the winter months.

On Jan. 3, Powell resident Jim Tobin and other pickleball players gathered at the courthouse to speak to Park County Commissioners on a proposal to use Heart Mountain Hall to play the popular game Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The group of roughly 15 players used to play at the armory during the colder months but are not able to due that this winter. There is also a possibility of using the old Northwest College gym in future winters, but that building is being used as a temporary dining hall for students while a new building is constructed.

“Colby Stenerson, our (Powell) Rec Director and I discussed other venues where we could play and thought the Heart Mountain Hall at the fairgrounds would be a good fit,” Tobin said. “There are no other known buildings that will work as the high school and middle school are booked up.

“In small communities like Powell it’s important to share and utilize what we have. We miss our pickleball.”

He also said, in response to previous concerns about the tape used to set up the courts damaging the floor, that they have identified tape specifically made for the purpose that does not damage the floor.

The issue then, as commissioners noted, was in how much they would charge.

“So my question arguably is, how deep are your pockets?” Commissioner Lloyd Thiel asked. “The fee ($225 rental fee for a night) is pretty pricey for what you want to do, but we can make exceptions.”

Another pickleball player, Marynell Oechsner, asked if the fee wouldn’t have to take into account utilities as the college is already paying utilities for use of the Heart Mountain Hall kitchen, but commission chair Dossie Overfield said they are only paying the extra utilities over the average used for the facility.

A number of players said they wouldn’t mind paying a fee as they already pay $8-$10, plus gas for the drive, to play at the rec center in Cody.

“I’d be glad to pay $5-$10, I’d be glad to mop the floor,” player Roger Beslanowitch said. “If it’s sitting there and nobody’s using it, I’m not going to pay $225, but if it’s reasonable, to enjoy a good night out, I’ve got a little bit of money.”

Commissioner Lee Livingston said they’d like to work something out and suggested they and Park County Events Manager Billy Woods work with group members to try and figure out a schedule and fee that would work.