The Munson Community Association is gearing up for its centennial celebrations, and hopes to be ready to break ground on a new community centre in this special year. The village north of Drumheller is turning 100 this year and has set July 9 for its celebration. Chair of the association Becky Kowalchuk says the community is still planning some of the events, and will include activities such as a barbecue, parade, possibly an antique show and shine or a firemen’s competition.
There is nothing the community would like better than to break ground on their new community centre at the celebration.
The association began in earnest to build a new hall, and have been raising funds to make it a reality. They are planning to build a 10,000 square foot hall that will seat about 350. It will has a full commercial kitchen for caterers to work from, as well as meeting space and a raised stage.
Currently the community is holding a cash raffle to raise funds for the hall. The draw will be at the centennial celebration, and tickets are available from board members and members of the community.
They have also begun a sponsorship program where donors can purchase a square foot of the new hall in hopes of meeting their goal. Names of these sponsors will be displayed on a plaque in the new hall.
While they have made progress, the economic climate has slowed down support from government sources.
“We’re plugging along, and of course, because of limited provincial grants right now, we have about half of the money committed, so we are pretty excited,” she said, adding the community has applied for some federal funding and is awaiting a response.
Some other fundraising endeavours include Ladies Night this Friday, March 25 at the hall, and a community cookbook.
“It is going to be on sale at the centennial. It is recipes from people in the area including a lot of seniors and old timers,” said Kowalchuk.
They are looking at raising in the area of $1.5 million for the new hall.
While they have not broken ground on the project, they already have a new addition that will make its way into the future hall.
In October, the association took delivery of new tables and chairs for the hall. These were funded through the association, a Community Spirit grant from the Alberta Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit, and donations from the Brian MacDermid Memorial Fund. Brian, a local farmer who passed away in October 2009, was a supporter of the association and their endeavour to bring a new hall to the community. In all, the 20 tables and 200 chairs cost about $16,000.
For more information on the community’s hall project, or some for the fundraising endeavours, and how to get involved, contact Kowalchuk at 403-823-9264.
