Facility is community's newest shining gem

Through the holidays we were privileged to attend two events at the new Sandpoint Business & Events Center (also known as the old Sandpoint High School/Ninth Grade Center). The first being held on the ground floor — in what used to be the gymnasium — and the second, a wedding, on the third floor in the old auditorium. All I can say is … Wow! While there are still ceilings to hang, moldings to install and stair systems to finish (kind of reminds me of my own home construction project!), the renovation is well under way and the grandeur of this old building is being restored.

We received our first tour of the old building when owners Brad and Lynda Scott hosted a little "ghost hunt" for a handful of friends one evening around Halloween 2005. Armed with flashlights — and aided by an occasional shaft of moonlight through cracks in the boarded windows — we explored the nooks and crannies, traversed creaky stairs, marveled at the majesty of the old auditorium and shared a few laughs and frights. While we didn't find any spooks to speak of, there is no question that the building still housed decades of memories for those who had attended school there, along with the dreams of the new owners for the revival of this old masterpiece as a gift to the community.

For those who attended school in this building, if you haven't yet had opportunity to see what's going on inside, you are in for a treat when you do. We "imports" will also appreciate the handy-work and investment that has gone into securing this historic building for antiquity's sake.

On behalf of our community, I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Brad and Lynda for their vision and commitment. We wish you the best in 2008 as the project is brought to completion and the new Sandpoint Business & Events Center is revealed to become the gem in our community as you envisioned.

DANIEL CRANER and

the Craner family

Sagle