The vision is to renovate, improve, and repurpose the school to meet three key needs: a visitor center, an arts center and a community center. All uses increase potential for economic opportunity within the community of Paradise, Montana, throughout Sanders County and regionally in northwest Montana. These changes and uses can be accomplished while retaining the original integrity of the school. The general scope of work within the study included evaluation of the physical structure’s existing condition; assess needed capital improvements; analyze ongoing use and administration for proposed uses; and establish short-term and long-term priorities.

Upon conclusion of the feasibility study it has been determined that the physical structures/property can be adapted for use as proposed with modest accommodation, maintenance, and accessibility upgrades using a multi-phased approach. The Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee will pursue facility upgrades and implement proposed programmatic uses moving forward with a dedicated network of community support. This project has the potential to make a strong and visible economic impact to the town of Paradise. Thank you to the Montana History Foundation and the Montana Department of Commerce for their support of rural Montana community facilities.

Sanders County has officially taken over the deed to the Paradise School with a lease agreement to be put into place with the Paradise School Preservation Committee to establish the Paradise Center. [Missoulian Article 6.21.2016]

More information about PESPC can be found at www.paradiseschoolproject.org