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Whitefish needs a new attraction

| July 19, 2006 11:00 PM

I think too much attention is paid to the existing attractions of the Whitefish area. But to really attract a lot of tourists, a place needs something that people have a reason to visit to see.

Larger areas have such things as the Empire State Building, the Gateway Arch, the Space Needle, the Sears Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Look at all the money the community in general and private philanthropists have put into the community during the past 20 years. But none of the things, such as a community center, new library, new school, bike paths, etc. are nationally notable.

The community really needs to come up with something special that could get national recognition as something special to go and see. The first thing I thought of was a giant skier monument on a ridge that could be lit up at night, or a giant statue of a mountain lion.

These are just ideas, but maybe the community leaders could think of something special to contribute some money to that will provide a lot of return through vastly increased tourism.

Some type of structure is needed to captivate the interest of the national population besides the already present ski area and Glacier National Park. Think about it.

John Baker

Whitefish