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Choteau Pavilion Stands Tall After 89 Years

Choteau Pavilion Stands Tall After 89 Years

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Feb 16, 2010 at 9:08 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 16, 2010 at 10:30 PM MST

Since 1921, the Choteau Pavilion has served as a city center for important events, big and small. But when the building required major renovation, the community rallied to fund repairs, keep it open, and make it better than ever before."

The pavilion is a community hub for the city as well as Teton County, hosting wedding receptions, conferences, family reunions, and events like the 4-H Fair, but following a 2006 building assessment, it was apparent that it would require major repair. A group of 11 women formed Pals of the Pavilion, and devoted years of hard work to raise the money.

"You simply stand back in awe of the accomplishment,” said Lila Dunn of Pals of the Pavilion.

Recent projects included new handicap accessible restrooms and ramps. Now, just underway is the latest project, replacing the 70-year-old furnaces and building a new ceiling and walls. Federal Stimulus dollars funded part of the renovation, but the remaining $68,000 was raised in Choteau.

“I hope when my kids are grown, they can have their wedding receptions here,” said Choteau Finance Officer Jodi Rogers. “It’s a very important place.”

The pavilion has stood for nearly 90 years, and thanks to some generous donations, it will continue to be a community center for generations to come.

Dunn realizes the building's economic and social impact to her community.

"In 2004 we hosted a wedding reception for my daughter. We realized what an asset it was to the community, and how important it was to keep it alive and running.”

Dunn says the biggest fundraiser for the pavilion is an annual auction in October, which raises about $15,000 each year.

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Marie said on Wednesday, Feb 17 at 9:57 AM

Good job people saving the history of a town is worth the time in my eyes in any town . Rub some of your knowledge on Great Falls.

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