The Water Valley Community Association is set to begin construction on its new community hall this summer.
The Water Valley Community Association is set to begin construction on its new community hall this summer.
“At long last, after all these years of saving dollars, ” said Peter van Hal, Water Valley resident who sat on the original board in 2001 that spearheaded the initiative.
“It's really exciting. ”
The $1.1-million project - more than 15 years in the making - now has $900,000 of the funds in the bank after a recent Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant from the Alberta Government.
“We will start construction as soon as we get our building permit, ” said Harold Baxandall, current vice-president of the Water Valley Community Association.
“I feel like I'm lucky to be involved at this stage. ”
The original community hall, which sits on Water Valley's main strip next to the school, was built in 1942 and renovated three decades later in 1972.
Members of the association explained that when they looked at renovating the building again they realized there were “structural and foundation ” issues. A 2015 estimate showed the cost of repairs would tally to half the price tag of a new hall.
When it was decided to build a new hall, the association hosted three community engagement sessions to gain public feedback with the last meeting showing 98 per cent approval rating from residents.
“The community feels very in favour of the new hall, ” said Elly VandenEnden, the treasurer of the association.
“There are a lot of older people with a connection to the old hall so we took their feelings into consideration. ”
The new building will use salvageable parts of the old hall including the original ceiling for the new hall entrance. The new facility will also include a memorial wall/museum with old photos of the hall, events and community.
“The old hall was leaning and it was time to be let go - but the new building is built as a community, and the whole community had a say in it, ” said VandenEnden.
The Water Valley Community Association, which is made up of volunteers, is relying on public and private donations to help with the last $200,000 left to fundraise. A couple of summer fundraising events are planned including the upcoming Celtic festival and a casino (date to be announced.
If there are no delays, association members are hopeful for a March 2018 opening date for the new 5,620-square-foot hall, located next to the Water Valley stage.
For more information, go to ilovewatervalley.com
