The Old School Trust, a nonprofit corporation, expects to have a long-vacant elementary school transformed into a community center as a part of the Utah Centennial celebration in 1996.
Dr. Douglas S. Howard, a Spring City resident who is in practice in Salt Lake City, is spearheading the renovation project. He said the remodeled structure will be a focal point for the development, advancement and promotion of the performing arts not only in Spring City but in Sanpete County.Plans include developing city owned property around the school as a Victorian garden and park, concrete sidewalks, an art gallery on the second floor of the building, rest rooms, a restaurant and catering service and a 150-seat theater. The theater will occupy the first floor.
Some restoration work necessary to preserve the building from further deterioration will also be undertaken.
Allen D. Roberts, who has been involved in other historic restoration projects, including Ephraim's old mill, Relief Society granary and stone house into a unified complex, will be the architect for the Spring City project.
The old school is included on the National Historic Register's Landmark list. The local DUP had previously undertaken a restoration of the facility with an expenditure of around $10,000 but gave up the undertaking for lack of further funding.
The school was constructed in 1899 of locally produced brick and lumber. Legend has it that a local sheepman offered his herd as collateral for the $10,200 needed under the terms of the contract to cover its initial cost.