{"id":1844,"date":"2018-10-04T13:01:43","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T19:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/15.223.70.103\/?page_id=1844"},"modified":"2024-03-06T10:01:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T16:01:19","slug":"multi-use-facility-fundraising-project","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.birchhills.ca\/?page_id=1844","title":{"rendered":"DLCC \u2013 Fundraising Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Duane Lowe Community Centre<\/h1>\n

The Future of our Seniors, Library and Community as a whole<\/h3>\n

Our Future Plans:<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1848″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”1858″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our History:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Town Council and the Multiuse Building Committee are very excited about the development of this project.\u00a0 Early in 2015, the idea to create a multiuse building was discussed by members of Council.\u00a0 Our senior residents were using an aging building that was quickly requiring repairs that would be costly.<\/p>\n

The building the senior club currently utilizes was built in 1920.\u00a0 It was originally constructed as the Birch Hills Masonic Lodge.\u00a0 The Lodge continued to be active for many years and, in 1973, the Lodge closed the Masonic Temple and the building was given to the Town of Birch Hills to be used as a Senior Citizen Centre.<\/p>\n

This 98 year old building is no longer a safe place for senior recreation and requires many repairs that are not feasible with its age.<\/p>\n

The old Co-op grocery store quickly became a building of interest as it had the required space, parking and location.\u00a0 Members of Town Council met with Duane Lowe, and our building inspector, to determine the effectiveness, building requirements, and a general discussion on what we were trying to achieve.\u00a0 Duane Lowe graciously donated his time to create a floor plan that would get us pointed in the right direction, in terms of the planning process, and to most effectively use the spec with which we had to work.<\/p>\n

After months of planning and discussion, a decision was made by Mayor and Council to submit an offer on the old Co-op grocery store building and move forward\u00a0with the project.\u00a0 The offer was made to Pasada Group for the amount of $125,000, which was accepted.\u00a0 Pasada\u00a0Group also made a donation to the project in the amount of $50,000.<\/p>\n

Throughout the planning process, and determining our needs, we also looked at Library space and its usage.\u00a0 The Birch Hills branch of the Wapiti Regional Library has been an\u00a0integral part of community life and activities since it joined the region in 1958.\u00a0 Over the past 60 years the number of books and members have grown considerably.\u00a0 Therefore, the Library will also be relocated to the Multiuse Building, allowing for increased \u00a0area, and additional features or uses of the Library including computer stations and interpretive center.<\/p>\n

It was additionally determined that we would create a space for the Birch Hills Lions Club.\u00a0 The Birch Hills & District Lions Club was sponsored by the St. Louis Club and became Chartered on May 4th, 1989.\u00a0 The Lions Club organized many major projects within the community.\u00a0 Their first major project was the sports grounds and ball diamonds for a project cost of $225,000.\u00a0 The ‘new’ Lions Park was re-opened in the spring of 1991.\u00a0 Another major project was the purchase of two compressors and ice making equipment assisted with the artificial ice in the skating arena for another project cost of $225,000, with the funds raised through the community from near and far.\u00a0 This includes a wall of fame in the arena.\u00a0 Including the Lions Club in the Multiuse building allows for them to have a permanent meeting room and areas for storage and counter space.<\/p>\n

The interior of the building will be completely rebuilt with electrical, heating and plumbing, new walls and flooring.\u00a0 The interior of the building will be completely rebuilt with electrical, heating and plumbing, new walls and flooring.\u00a0 The exterior of the building will also be updated and modernized.<\/p>\n

At this point in time, through approximately 200 plus volunteered man hours from the Lions Club, Peak Electric, Town Council and others, the building has been completely stripped of its interior walls and the next phase of mechanical and electrical has started.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\n

Multiuse Facility Committee<\/h3>
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