New businesses come to Polson
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POLSON — Construction near the Mission Valley Aquatic Center in the Ridgewater Subdivision south of Polson has piqued local interest.
The one project already in progress is the Kalispell Region Medical Clinic. Swanke Enterprises has begun construction and hopes to be completed this spring, weather permitting.
James Kiser, CEO at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, said the local hospital administration was concerned about the new KRM clinic, primarily because it might be a threat to the hospital’s surgical wing.
“We have an OR that is staffed and equipped, with surgeons who can do the procedures,” Kiser said.
Another concern was emergency services, Kiser said. If another emergency room was to open so close, it might not be feasible to continue operating St. Joes ER seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
James Oliverson, vice president of KRMC, said there would not be a surgery center or an emergency room in the Polson clinic.
“It’s going to be like a doctor’s office,” he explained.
The reason for the expanded clinic is “a good problem to have. Our present clinic is too small,” Oliverson said.
With a physician and a chiropractor in the building, and specialists from Kalispell coming and going, the new building will have more space to accommodate the specialists.
Other rumors of a Taco Bell or an Appleby’s coming to Polson are just that — rumors, according to Polson City Hall staff.
The only business that’s requested a building permit in the subdivision is O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, a national chain.
O’Reilly’s has not paid for its building permit, which is typical, since most businesses send their contractor in to pick up the permit when they’re ready to begin construction.
