Locals come together

PARADISE – Paradise School, which closed its doors in May 2013 due to an inadequate number of students, has potential for a second life. A group of interested individuals from Paradise and Plains have formed the Paradise School Preservation Committee. Their vision is to create a visitor center, arts center and community center in the century old historic building. The multi-use facility would serve the potential for creating economic opportunity within the community and Sanders County.

Tourist traffic approaching northwest Montana from the east and south, pass through the community of Paradise. This region is well-known for Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake and the National Bison Reserve. A Sanders County Visitor Center would provide local resource information in our corridor and promote area attractions and businesses. The Center would include commemoration of the history of Paradise with a railroad museum and a veterans’ memorial, as well.  

Sanders County is home to many artists both visual and performing. Currently, there is no space within the county that is dedicated to present or promote arts or art education. This piece would be a permanent arts facility and a hub for arts activities.

The community and county would benefit from a community gathering place for meetings and events. Proposed uses aim to initiate an overall revitalization movement for the town of Paradise.

The Paradise School board retains ownership pf the property and building until 2016. The board has agreed to give the school and surrounding land to Sanders County. The Paradise School Preservation Committee aims to lease the space from the county to achieve the proposed vision for the school. The Committee has conducted considerable research with regard to historic preservation, as well as funding sources for anticipated uses. Before the county is willing to take on the school there is a need for planning and assessment of renovation and the viability of operations. For this reason, Sanders County has applied for and been awarded a Community Development Block Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Paradise School activities.

The Paradise School Preservation Committee is open to all who are interested. Sanders County Community Development Corporation is the sub-recipient and grant manager of the project. Planning activities and public process will begin in January 2015. Please direct any questions, interest or comments to Jen Kreiner, Sanders County Community Development Corporation, (406) 827-6935.