Encana donated another $50,000 to the new Standard Community Hall committee and made their total contribution to the proposed project $150,000 last Wednesday night in Standard.
The new hall committee is also celebrating $21,657 in provincial funding the group received from the Community Spirit Program. Recent donations and fundraising for the project – including raffles, silent auctions, and a bottle and battery drive totalled $30,855.
With Encana’s donation, the project’s reserve total is now $1,103,254 and getting closer to the estimated $2.6 million price tag for the new hall which Standard residents have called a dire need.
Organizers hope to put the project out to tender in 2012, which would replace the existing community hall in the community of 380.
New Hall Board Committee member Susan Bragg said they expect to receive between $400,000-500,000 from provincial grants which have just recently been applied for.
Upcoming events to watch for include Marilyn Olsen’s Trance Tricks Hypnosis Show at the community hall June 1, the Gigantic Community Garage Sale Under One Roof on Standard Sports Day, June 25 and the Raise a Little Hall golf tournament and silent auction on Friday, July 15 at the Bassano Golf Course. Every day in the month of August will be a calendar draw fundraiser with $2,350 in prizes and only 499 tickets available, which may be bought at Gates Agencies.
Although structurally safe, the existing hall’s beams, made in 1949 from salvaged wood, have had major repairs and the foundation was beginning to show problems.
The 10,240 square foot facility will boast an energy efficient design, easy to clean layout, a social concept kitchen, air conditioning, a children’s room, a gas powered generator for disasters and town crisis, an adaptable stage area, projector and a large amount of storage.
