The Bly Community Action Team (CAT) is a local nonprofit group formed in the 1990s to help residents organize, plan, and follow through on projects that strengthen Bly’s quality of life. Recent work includes stewardship of the Ruth Obenchain Recreation Center (Gearhart Gym), community events, and grant coordination captured in the meeting minutes.
The Bly CAT was formed after federal rural-community assistance in the early 1990s supported the creation of Community Action Teams and Community Action Plans. Bly’s team was approved in March 1994 and formally recognized by Klamath County shortly after.
Bring residents together to identify priorities, organize projects, and coordinate with partners (county, state, federal, and nonprofits) to get real work done.
To acquire and hold real personal property, supplies; such assets as may be required to provide assistance to various groups and nonprofit organizations located within the service area and to provide economic development assistance to obtain; administer grant funding for the betterment of the town of Bly.
(From the Articles of Incorporation.)
The Community Action Plan also frames the mission as “define and develop our human and natural resources in a manner that is environmentally sensitive and economically productive.”
A future with the same small-town atmosphere, a wide range of public services, a stable and diverse economy, and a natural environment that remains much like it has always been.
(From the Community Action Plan vision statement.)
Bly is a rural, unincorporated community on Highway 140 between Klamath Falls and Lakeview. The action plan describes a local economy rooted in agriculture, timber, and tourism, with many services provided locally.
The plan documents a community process: public meetings, a SWOT analysis, resident surveys, then narrowing down projects into a workable list. Completed items make room for new priorities.
The Community Action Plan lists many improvements completed over the years.
The Gearhart Gym was transferred to the Bly CAT in 2016 and has been restored through volunteer work, grants, and donations. The facility was rededicated as the Ruth Obenchain Recreation Center and continues to receive upgrades like ADA access and facility repairs.
The minutes track ongoing programs like Fishing Day at Obenchain Reservoir, Halloween gatherings at the gym, the annual Christmas giveaway, town cleanups, and support for community fundraisers.
Park improvements included restrooms, playground equipment, paving, memorial items, and the relocation of the Bly Fire lookout tower to serve as a fire museum.
Outside renovations, accessibility improvements, and equipment upgrades helped keep local medical service available in Bly.
Grants supported firefighting equipment, extrication tools, radios, and replacement apparatus—helping improve emergency readiness.
Kitchen appliances, tables and chairs, announcement board, roofing, and flooring updates helped keep the hall usable for meetings and community events.
Volunteers and grants rebuilt condemned facilities and added a much-needed restroom.
Sidewalk and lighting planning, plus benches, planters, and other streetscape elements supported a more walkable downtown.
A path connecting the community park and Forest Service office improved safe access for residents.
Annual cleanups, planters, trash receptacles, mowing vacant lots, and a rebuilt welcome sign helped keep Bly looking cared-for.
A quarterly newsletter keeps residents informed, and volunteer-led oral history interviews preserved stories from longtime residents.
The action plan includes a SWOT analysis and a resident survey. This section reflects that original work.
Themes pulled from the CAT minutes across all available years (2017–2025).
Key milestones from founding through recent projects, based on CAT history and meeting minutes.
Community Action Team approved and organized with county support.
Nonprofit status pursued in 1999; IRS 501(c)(3) recognition in April 2000.
Gearhart Gym closed after years of declining enrollment and rising maintenance costs.
Senate Bill 953 cleared legal hurdles so the district could transfer the gym to a community owner.
Minutes note grant applications tied to downtown improvements and community facilities.
ADA ramp installation at the recreation center is recorded in the minutes.
Meeting minutes from recent and past CAT meetings.