Helena local Jack Evans fondly recalls attending Hawthorne Elementary in the late 1990s, where he formed lasting friendships. The school, located in Westside Mansion District, has been a cornerstone for many families like Jack’s. “Neighborhood schools are the bedrock of successful communities,” Evans emphasized at a school board meeting, stressing the school’s importance to the community’s fabric.
Despite heartfelt pleas from community members, the Helena School Board decided to close Hawthorne Elementary amid financial strains and declining enrollment. Built in 1921, the school required costly repairs to remain operational. Helena faces the question of how to repurpose older school buildings like Hawthorne, a challenge shared by other cities.
Bob Schmitt, a neighbor whose children attended Hawthorne, proposes transforming it into a community center, a model successfully adopted in places like Bozeman and Livingston. Schmitt envisions a space hosting after-school programs, art studios, and more, yet he acknowledges the complexities and financial hurdles involved. The Helena School Board has granted Schmitt a temporary agreement to prevent the sale or lease of Hawthorne while he establishes a nonprofit to manage the center.
Schmitt’s plan involves significant community engagement and fundraising. Initial estimates suggest leasing costs of $9,000 to $10,000 monthly, plus $52,000 annually for utilities. His initiative mirrors successes like the Emerson Center in Bozeman and the Shane Center in Livingston, where historic schools were repurposed into cultural hubs through nonprofit efforts.
For guidance, Schmitt consulted Susan Denson-Guy of the Emerson Center, who noted, “Arts add value to a community.” Bozeman’s Emerson Center supports its operations with income from rentals, fundraising, and grants. Similarly, Livingston’s Shane Center thrives with a balanced revenue model of earned income and donations. Schmitt aims to replicate these models, emphasizing the importance of illustrating the community’s need for a center.
In Red Lodge, the Roosevelt Center demonstrates another successful repurposing. It offers affordable rental spaces to foster small businesses and art projects, a strategy supported by community collaboration and local surveys. Jennifer Romeijn of the Roosevelt Center notes the vital role of understanding community needs and engaging stakeholders.
Hawthorne’s future may depend on the community’s support and willingness to fund the initiative. A recent graduate walk-through event at Hawthorne allowed Schmitt to present the community center vision. His newly formed board has launched a website and is seeking input from residents to ensure the project aligns with community desires. Schmitt’s goal is to secure a lease by summer’s end, positioning Hawthorne as a community resource.
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