Charlo multi-purpose facility completed
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After three years of planning, compromise and construction, Charlo School’s multi-purpose facility is finally finished.
Plans for the $1.5 million project began after a fire destroyed the previous gymnasium that was over 50 years old.
Superintendent Paul Jenkins, who wasn’t employed by the district when the fire destroyed the building in 2007, explained that community members suspect the old building caught on fire when children, who were playing with fireworks near the building, left some smoldering in the trash. The unintentional firework mishap left the multi-purpose building in ashes and the community searching for an adequate solution to replace the building.
“It was a lengthy process because there was some division in the community over what they wanted,” Jenkins said.
The division was caused by two different factions in the community. One opinion believed that the building should be more conducive for artistic and musical events. The other faction wanted a new and improved replacement for the gymnasium that had burned to the ground.
The new building was discussed at length at many school board meetings, but eventually the school board and community members came to an agreement and started the construction of the multi-purpose facility, which would house musical, theatrical, and educational events, as well as serve as a secondary gymnasium for the students.
“The bottom line is we lost a facility and we are replacing it with an improvement,” Charlo District Clerk Sara Vaughan said.
The impressive facility consists of three primary parts: the 45 feet by 75 feet lobby, the 70 feet by 110 feet multi-purpose room and the 45 feet by 64 foot locker room area.
The lobby contains two public restrooms and a concession stand. There are stairs that lead up to an enormous, yet scantily furnished weight room. Downstairs in the main multi-purpose room there are six basketball hoops, lines painted for basketball and volleyball and beautiful hardwood floors.
A door in the corner of the building leads to the girls’ and boys’ locker rooms, coaches rooms and eventually leads out to the football field and track. There are covered walkways in the front of the building and a grand covered entryway that will provide event attendees shelter from Montana’s inclement weather.
The structure was financed with a $1.2 million bond, $200,000 from insurance money and around $80,000 from Impact Aid. The state of Montana covered 70 percent of the $1.2 million bond and the school received a one percent interest rate from a local bank.
In Jenkins’ opinion, the community has been supportive of the project through and through. And in a community the size of Charlo, support of such a large project is necessary.
“The school is the focal point of the community,” Jenkins explained, noting that he hopes the community will use the structure for recreational purposes and other events.
It’s obvious that the school staff is proud of the new facility — and they should be. The resourceful building is beautiful and well-designed to meet the school’s needs.
The facility will serve the students and the community well. After some accessories are bought, the building will be able to house plays and musical events as well as secondary sporting events and physical education classes.
Next basketball season, the girls and boys basketball teams can practice at regular times and won’t have to resort to morning and late-night practices to accommodate all the different teams.
In order to celebrate the completion of the building, the Charlo School District is inviting all members of the community to an open house next Wednesday.
“It’s part of the beauty of the open house,” Jenkins said. “Hopefully the community will see the benefits of it and embrace it.”
The open house will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. Refreshments will be served.
“I hope a lot of people come to the open house so they can see and appreciate all the time and effort that went into getting it done,” Jenkins said.
