Renovations and additions of the Zigzag Ranger Station complex are currently
all on schedule, and “possibly slightly ahead,” according to Ken Harrison,
Facilities Operations Specialist for the U.S. Forest Service.

Harrison expected the entire building, including the new visitor center at the
front of the building at 70220 Hwy. 26 in Zigzag, to be fully enclosed and
watertight by the end of November.

District Ranger Bill Westbrook hopes the building will be open for the 2013
Memorial Day weekend.

“We’ll see how it goes,” said Westbrook, noting the need to move over
furniture and more from offices across the street on Lolo Pass. “That would be
great to start up at the beginning of summer.”

The complex, being built by Payne Construction out of Portland, will include a
visitor center approximately twice the square footage of the old center,
featuring a new entrance and open beam construction. In addition, the
building will also house a large conference room capable of holding public
meetings, and new office spaces to consolidate USFS staff and reduce costs.

The project, at a cost of more than $1 million, will also include new walkways
around the complex, an information kiosk to provide information when the
visitor center is closed and a set of restrooms by the parking lot. Westbrook
noted it is possible the restrooms would be open 24 hours a day, but final
hours are yet to be determined.

Westbrook added he expects the visitor center to be staffed seven days a
week for a portion of the year, if funding from the county continues.

“They’ve been great, helping us out to stay open seven days a week,” said
Westbrook about the county support.

“I know their interest is to continue with that.”

The older buildings at the site will continue to be used, including the “history
house,” a small cabin that currently houses visitor information services, while
no other major renovations are currently planned. No determination has been
made for the office space on Lolo Pass, including a modular installed more
than 30 years ago, but Westbrook said retrofitting the space as a bunkhouse
for the Zigzag Hot Shots is a possibility.