MISSOULA, Mont. -- Upgrades are planned for Caras Park in downtown Missoula.

The Missoula Downtown Association says some of the equipment and structures at the park are at the end of their lifespan and are wearing out. The MDA built the pavilion in 1997. The MDA has paid off a loan for the $600,000 cost of building the pavilion. Now the MDA is in a 3-year campaign to raise $500,000 to make needed improvements in the park that coincide with the Missoula Downtown Master Plan.

Linda McCarthy is the Executive Director of the Missoula Downtown Association. She says keeping Caras Park upgraded is vital. "We use that facility a lot. It is a very important to bringing our community together. A lot of people live here because of the type of events we have at Caras Park. This year the park was host to the US Freestyle Kayaking Championships, The Missoula Marathon, as well as many other events including Out To Lunch and Downtown Tonight and The River City Roots Festival."

The first phase of the campaign is to raise $160,000 to begin building a new, permanent stage and an awning that will be installed once every season. McCarthy says the campaign has about $100,000 toward that goal at this point. The first phase also will include improvements to the electrical and irrigation systems. Building could begin in October and be completed by the spring if the financial goal is met in time.

Two other, future phases include a vehicle ramp, painting the pavilion and replacing the pavilion walls and canopy.

McCarthy is confident the MDA will raise the $500,000 needed for the full project through private contributions and grant money.