Rocky View County council unanimously voted to contribute $9,021 to repairs to the Weedon Pioneer Community Hall, June 5.
The funds will be used to fix the foundation, which is located 30 kilometres west of Airdrie at the junction of Highways 22 and 567. Cracks in the foundation have led to leaking in the basement over the past few years, causing water damage to the floor and walls.
“We are pleased to provide part of the funding to repair the community hall’s foundation,” said County Reeve Rolly Ashdown. “They will be able to complete the much-needed improvements to make the hall safe and comfortable.”
According to Weedon Pioneer Community Association (WPCA) President David Sowers, the WPCA will foot the bill for the additional $2,510 required to make the repairs, with a total estimated cost of $11,531.
Sowers said the hall hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, 4-H events, children’s activities, ranching and industry workshops, and other community events for free, in addition to renting space for weddings, anniversary parties, family reunions, community meetings and other events on an annual basis. It also serves as a polling station for provincial and federal elections.
“The hall is used a great deal and benefits our whole community,” said Sowers. “We’re very appreciative of this grant money. We would like to thank Rocky View very much for their generous donation.”
The hall has undergone other significant renovations in the past six years, including interior upgrades, replacement of the hardwood dance floor, kitchen upgrades, roof and exterior siding replacement, and the installation of a new deck, play structure for children and chair lift for seniors and those with limited mobility.
Sowers said the funding for these projects was raised by volunteer members at casinos.
“Weedon Hall and their board and volunteers are very diligent,” said Councillor Paul McLean, who motioned to donate the funds. “They are being very proactive in this request and I support it.”
The funds will come from the Ranch Lands Recreation Board’s section of County public reserves, which currently contains roughly $270,000 in uncommitted funds.
