Roosevelt County Officially Agrees To Purchase Of Buildings

Roosevelt County commissioners officially approved the county’s purchase of the readiness center and organizational maintenance shop in Culbertson. The building previously served the Montana National Guard unit.

“This has been in the process for quite a while,” Commissioner Robert Toavs said.

Oelkers said there’s a possibility that the Culbertson Volunteer Fire Department and City of Culbertson might enter a buy/sale agreement for the OMS shop for $300,000. The sale to the county will be completed in the middle of December. Commissioners approved $1.56 million for the purchase.

The county’s plan is to transform the associated maintenance shop into a fire hall in Culbertson. Commissioners said the three large back doors would be ideal for the Culbertson Volunteer Fire Department. The department provides fire protection services to Culbertson, Froid, Bainville, Fort Kipp and Brockton and also offers mutual aid throughout Roosevelt County. The former Army Readiness Center portion of the property would be repurposed for Roosevelt County Fair operations, a satellite office for the county sheriff’s office and other community events such as wedding receptions. It’s possible that the space would also be utilized as an emergency operations center and emergency shelter during natural disasters or other emergencies.

Toavs said oil funding that the county receives is paying for the purchase.

In June 2024, the Montana National Guard announced that the Culbertson National Guard Armory will close no later than December 2026.

Soldiers in Culbertson were to consolidate with the rest of the unit and attend drills in Miles City or Billings no later than December 2026.