Anyone stepping into the Pioneer Trail Centre on 2nd Street West and 3rd Avenue these days is getting a bit of a surprise. Gone is the old, peeling linoleum, and the 1970’s era carpet.
In its place is a fresh new floor, thanks to the hard work of Pioneer Trail Society members. The new floor went in earlier this summer.
“The old linoleum tiles were starting to chip away. There’s always a fear of somebody tripping and falling. We wanted to get that done up front first. It was a safety issue more than anything and a little bit for the appearance,” said Pioneer Trail Society president, Gerry Moore.
“Everybody seems to like it, even those who don’t usually like change. I haven’t had any negative feedback at all. It’s really been quite gratifying.”
The new floor is yet another project completed at the centre in the past several years. Last year the front of the building was redone with a new door, windows, and signage. Earlier this year the Society bought a new industrial dishwasher for the kitchen. After the new floor was finished, members found time and a few leftover funds to give the walls a fresh new coat of paint.
The renovations utterly transform the building.
“We spent quite a bit of money, but I think it looks really good in there. DeMott’s did a nice job taking all that carpeting out and leveling the floor. It should help things stay cleaner,” said Moore.
The renovations on the floor and the paint job cost an estimated $42,000. The Society received a grant from the provincial government of $18,000 for the floor. The remainder was raised by members.
“We sell rummage at the front door. A lot of times people bring in stuff they couldn’t sell at their yard sales, or they just bring things in. We get money from pool, everyone has to pay to play pool, which raises a fair amount of money. We have income from the kitchen in lunches and dinner. Then there are the quilters who are probably our biggest income producers,” said Moore.
The Pioneer Trail Centre provides a place where seniors from in and around Drumheller can go to spend some time hanging out with friends.
“We want a place where the seniors will be pleased and happy to go to that is comfortable. It’s a fairly expensive place to keep going, but I believe it’s worth it and important to all seniors,” said Moore, who arrived in town 12 years ago, credits the Centre for helping him adjust to life here.
“When I first moved here, I’ve only been in town 12 years, it really got me into the community and getting to know a lot of the seniors here. It’s just been a great thing for myself, the other new people who move down to the valley, and for those who have lived here for years. Anyone is welcome to come down and meet some new and old friends.”
The recent renovations may be the last for awhile.
“There isn’t anything on the books at the moment,” said Moore. “I think everybody might be willing to take a breather for now.”
