Convention center planned in Dillon

Dillon will soon have its own “ destination” project to ponder.

Ron Johnson, a longtime Dillon developer, unveiled his plans Wednesday to build a 47,000-square-foot convention center, complete with two restaurants, a mechanical bull room and what may be Montana’s longest bar — 52 feet.

By Perry Backus of The Montana Standard

The proposed development, located on about 48 acres on the north end of Dillon, would also include an recreation-vehicle park with spaces for 110 units, a convenience store and gas station and an 80-foot high neon cowboy sign to catch the tourist’s eye.

Johnson calls the project “ Destination Dillon 2003.” He’s also quick to say that he didn’t steal that idea from his neighbors to the north.

“ I had that name six months ago,” he said. “ I liked the alliteration of the two Ds.”

The development would be located just off the north Interstate 15 interchange. The plans call for working to attract conventions to the development’s Frontier Convention Center, which will be able to seat 1,285 people.

With tables and chairs, the center would be able to accommodate 600. The convention center would also include two restaurants. One would serve a buffet style meal and the other would be fine dining, complete with nice table cloths and crystal glasses.

The project has already secured liquor and gaming licenses, he said.

Johnson and his partners, whom Johnson said don’t want to be identified yet, want to make Dillon a destination spot both for conventioneers and tourists traveling between Canada and destinations south.

“ We’ve already been securing sign space all the way from Calgary to Salt Lake,” he said. “ What we’re trying to do is build a destination area where people can pull in with their RVs and the little cars they pull behind and take some time to look around,” he said.

“ They can stay in our area and enjoy what we have to offer.”

Johnson said he’s working with a for mer Black Hills tour operator to develop tour routes for people staying in the area. That person, who has 20 years of experi ence in the field, is excited about the potential of tours that could include places like Bannack, Big Hole Battlefield, Crystal Park, Virginia City or the Red Rock Refuge.

“ There are all kinds of different topics people could choose from,” said Johnson. “ It would be a good way to keep spouses busy while they convention or attend trade shows.”

Conventions and trade shows would play an important role in making the pro ject work.

“ I’ve been told that there are 600 con ventions held in Montana every year,” said Johnson. “ If we could just get 10 percent of those, we’d do well.”

A business consultant estimated the project would create between 30 and 35 new permanent jobs and another 20 parttime jobs during busy spells, Johnson said.

Initially, Johnson said it appeared that the project was going to recycle the famous 80-foot high neon cowboy that once hung at the Frontier Casino in Las Vegas. The group had acquired the sign, but an antiquities committee from Las Vegas decided it was part of that town’s lore and said it would have to stay.

Instead, Johnson said the group will closely replicate the neon cowboy for a sign that will be mounted near the first interstate entrance from the north into Dillon. The sign will also include a “ huge” television like screen that will tell visitors of attractions happening around the area, he said.

“ I think it probably will become a land mark,” said Johnson.

Before construction can get under way, Johnson said the project area needs to be zoned and annexed into the city limits. If things go well, the project could open as soon as next spring.

“ That’s being very optimistic,” he said. “ We have to try and get everything coordi nated. We’ve done a lot already.”

Dillon Mayor Marty Malesich said the project will have to be considered by both the planning board and city council in order for the area to be zoned and annexed.

“ I think it would be good for the com munity,” Malesich said. “ Just look at the jobs.”

Malesich said new ventures are prepar ing to get under way in Dillon, including a new bank.

“ I’ve been saying things were getting ready to pop,” he said. “ I think we’re going to see some slow and steady growth here. This is a nice place. We just have to let people know what we have here.”

— Reporter Perry Backus may be reached via e-mail at perrybackus(at)(at)yahoo.com.

http://www.mtstandard.com/dillon/dillon1.html