CDA: Recreation needs revitalization

As a North Idaho native who has spent most of my 35 years in the Coeur d’Alene area, I’ve watched this city morph into what feels like a dystopian paradox. Despite its growth, Coeur d'Alene seems increasingly stagnant, lacking both activities and sustained business growth.

Consider the Silver Lake Mall, a once-bustling hub now resembling a self-cannibalizing corpse. Dominated by Black Sheep sub-stores, the mall is eerily quiet with few shops maintaining consistent activity. Some argue that malls are simply dying, but a short drive to Spokane Valley or Northtown reveals thriving shopping centers bustling with activity even during their lulls.

Coeur d’Alene is similarly littered with the remnants of short-lived stores and repeated business failures, yet construction of new, doomed commercial spaces continues unabated. This cycle of growth and decay raises questions about the efficacy of our local leadership.

Furthermore, Coeur d’Alene’s recreational offerings are limited. Beyond bars, hiking, hunting, and niche activities like mudding, options are scarce. This lack of variety raises crucial questions: What initiatives are in place to engage and retain not only mainstream youth but also those from alternative subcultures — geeks, goths, metalheads, nerds, non-traditional/digital artists, punks, and others — who crave diverse forms of expression, entertainment and avenues for socialization?

While I recognize that Coeur d’Alene has flourished as a resort city, capitalizing on its natural beauty and lower cost of living, this singular focus seems increasingly detrimental. We must rethink Coeur d’Alene’s paradoxical development strategies and expand its recreational offerings to truly thrive. Currently, despite a growing population, Coeur d’Alene feels like a stagnant, uninspiring dystopia for a decent portion of today’s youth and young adults.

KELLY D. BUECHNER II

Hayden