Culbertson Community Makes New Bathhouse Reality

Success Story

On the west side of the town of Culbertson sits a strong reminder of what can be accomplished when a community works together for a cause. After an effort that spanned more than 10 years, this summer marks the first one for Culbertson’s new bathhouse at the swimming pool.

“It’s a big addition to the town. People are really happy,” Culbertson Mayor Todd Gabriel said.

Gabriel said the bathhouse is about 75 percent larger than the previous building. Improvements include much larger dressing rooms and a family restroom. On the outside, there are tables complete with umbrellas for people to enjoy relaxing on a beautiful summer days.

“Everybody loves it,” pool manager Heather Harrison said. “They are very excited when they come here. The construction workers have done a very good job.”

Cost of the project was $780,000. Gabriel added, “People are just ecstatic about it when they come here with their families, especially the people who have been around for 20 or more years. “It’s definitely nice and a benefit to the community.”

The Culbertson Women’s Club played a vital role in spearheading the project. Club member DeAnne Weeks said the lengthly process was definitely worth the final result.

“The Culbertson Women’s Club chose the Culbertson bathhouse as the club’s community service project in March of 2013. Initially the project started as a bathhouse along with a splash pad. It was then broken into two separate projects,” Weeks explained. “The club felt there was a dire need to improve the pool area after more than 50 years of use. The Culbertson pool is one of the few drawing cards Culbertson has to attract and maintain families of all ages for recreation.”

Through the years, the women’s club conducted a long list of fundraisers including selling raffle tickets, wrapping paper, Frontier Days meals, hosting a Holiday Notes concert, Breakfasts with Santa, Bingo games, Main Street flower pots, a fun run, Brewfest, walk-a-thon, carnival, nachos feed and hosting a comedian.

Many grants were applied for including the Montana Land and Water Conservation Fund Program ($339,084), MDU, Culbertson Area Foundation, Nyquist Foundation and Thrivent.

Gabriel said a key element for funding of the pool was when Culbertson’s voters approved 75 mills or $75,000. Construction started in October of 2025 and was completed in April.

The Jim and Sharon Salvevold House Foundation then donated $136,000 for the project.

Matching funds included $175,000 from the women’s club and $26,584,50 from the town of Culbertson.

“The Culbertson Town Council and mayors were very supportive these past few years and truly were the reason the project was a success. They played the key role in obtaining the Montana Land & Water grant which funded half of the project. We couldn’t have done it without them,” Weeks said.

She also thanks the Culbertson Lions Club for assisting with many events including cooking for Breakfast with Santa.

“Clint Jacobs spent countless hours researching grant possibilities and writing letters of support and requests for funding. Was so nice to have him keep the faith with us!,” Weeks said. “Lastly, the Culbertson community and surrounding areas played a vital role. They continued to support all of our fund raisers and in the end voted to approve a mill levy to raise the final amount of money needed. We are so thankful to live in this caring community.”

Asked if there was ever a time that officials felt that the project wasn’t going to achieve its goal.

“The Culbertson Women’s Club hit many road blocks in pursuit of this project. We changed engineering firms, council members, mayors as well as being unsuccessful with many grant applications,” Weeks said “But we remained hopeful and just knew if we could get the community to see it was actually possible, it would happen.

Gabriel explained that individuals from Bainville, Fort Kipp and Froid also enjoyed the pool in Culbertson.

“We’re the hub for the area,” the mayor said.

Open swim is available from 1-4:45 p.m. daily and night swim is 6-8 p.m. Power aerobics begin at 7:50 a.m. Regular aerobics are offered at 8 a.m. and noon. Lap swim takes place from 8-9 p.m.