The Flathead City-County Health Department hopes to open a health clinic in Hungry Horse, the first of its kind in the area.

The intent is to provide medical and counseling services to the residents of the Canyon communities, Flathead Community Health Center Executive Director Jody White said.

The clinic would be operated one day a week.

“We’re going to start with one and see what the need is,” White said. Depending on the need and available staff, they will look at adding more days.

The Health Department has approached School District 6 about renting out classrooms and offices in the Canyon Elementary School in Hungry Horse. Currently, several churches and other community programs use the school. Tentatively, the space would be rented to the county for $50 per use, according to the school district.

The county has applied to the federal government for a change of scope of their current grant, White said. The county needs permission to work outside of its current medical clinic. The county was required to have a letter of support from the school district, which it recently received.

White said the Health Department hopes to have an answer within 60 days.