The Community Center

Originally built as a church in 1910, the Community Center moved to its current location in the northeast corner of the community park in 1974. The building has historic interest in the community, but it has been heavily altered, including an addition, since it moved from its original location. Because of this, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office expressed it is not eligible for listing.
The building was previously used as a community center but has been vacant for around four years. A volunteer group originally ran it.
In its current condition, the building is dilapidated, with various structural and environmental hazards. The Targeted Brownfields Assessment for the park included sampling and analysis in and around the community center for these hazards. This analysis showed high levels of mold and lead-based paint, as well as limited quantities of asbestos-containing materials. Soils surrounding the building also contain lead, likely from the paint on the exterior of the building.
The question for the County and community is whether the existing community center should be restored and possibly expanded, or does it need to be demolished and removed, and if it is removed, should a new one be constructed in its place? The answer depends on identifying a sustainable partnership model for maintenance and acquiring funding for capital improvements. One of the first steps is looking into how much the Brownfield grant can cover.
After months of community engagement, the County can see how much Clinton would value a community center. Missoula County will use the Brownfield grant funding to explore cleanup options and alternatives, and the County will ask for engagement with community members throughout this process.