Children's theater plan approved

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment on Tuesday granted a conditional-use permit to the Bigfork Children's Theatre to convert a building into a workshop and community center.

The theater group currently stores items and performs at a few locations, including the Bigfork Center For the Performing Arts.

It has no building of its own.

The group wants to set up a 3,500-square-foot educational center - with no auditorium - at 833 Grand Drive where students can take acting and music lessons in Bigfork without having to go to Kalispell.

The building, which formerly was a Flathead Industries Thrift Store - would provide cheap rental spaces for teachers to work.

Buying the building is expected to cost roughly $180,000 with the total price expected to be about $225,000 after the interior is renovated to hold music and dance rooms.

The organization has obtained several grants and has been conducting some fundraising efforts to get the money.