TOWNSEND, Mont. — A seven-acre property near Canyon Ferry Lake could become a hub for several Broadwater County services, bringing equipment closer to the growing Silos community and potentially improving emergency response times.
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Broadwater County purchased the property at the corner of Silos Road and Beaver Drive for $1.7 million in May 2026. The purchase was funded through leftover federal COVID-19 relief money allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
County Commissioner Debi Randolph said the county had been discussing options for a multi-use facility for several years. Earlier proposals focused on the south end of the county, but estimated construction costs grew beyond what the county could afford. The Silos property eventually became an opportunity to repurpose an existing facility rather than build something new.
The property includes 19 storage bays, which the county hopes to use for Road Department equipment, vehicles and chemicals for the Broadwater County Noxious Weed Department, and Search and Rescue equipment and boats.
Randolph said storing Search and Rescue equipment closer to Canyon Ferry Lake could help volunteers respond more quickly to emergencies. Part of the existing building was previously an apartment, which the county hopes to convert into a space where rescued residents and volunteers can warm up, get water and recover after an emergency.
The property could also help during the winter by providing a closer location to store snowplows.
"We don't have any county presence out here at all," said Silos resident Al Christophersen, who has lived in the area for about 20 years.
Christophersen said the community could benefit from having more emergency resources nearby, particularly when it comes to fire protection. He recalled a nearby neighbor's home being destroyed by fire and said the home had to be rebuilt.
Standing at the property, Christophersen noted the area is more than five miles from both Winston and Townsend, which he said creates challenges for fire coverage.
"From my perspective as a resident out here who fishes on the lake and pays fire insurance, anything we can get in this area to help all the people out here, it's a big asset," Christophersen said.
Beyond equipment storage and emergency services, the county also hopes to convert two or three of the storage units into community meeting space. Those spaces could be available for public meetings, county commission meetings, voting and training.
"Our goal is to take two, maybe three of the storage units, turn them into meeting space. Community could rent them, we could have commission meetings here, people could vote here," Randolph said.
Longer-term possibilities include using an adjacent, currently open lot for a future fire hall if funding becomes available. Randolph said the county is also interested in expanding emergency services in the area as the Silos community continues to grow.
The county is now working with an engineering company and architect to develop plans for the property's renovations. Officials expect the project to take several years and plan to pursue grants and other funding opportunities to pay for the improvements.
Randolph said the property purchase and planned renovations will not require a tax increase or levy for residents.
The county also plans to continue seeking public input as the project moves forward.
