On Feb. 14, Rocky View County pledged $78,000 to the Dartique Hall Community Association for emergency repairs and enhancements to the hall, located in the Countyís northwest at the end of Horse Creek Road.
ìWe want to preserve some of the heritage sites in the county and we want to make sure people have places to go,î said Reeve Rolly Ashdown.
The money was needed after the hallís furnace broke down in late January, causing pipes to burst in the basement.
When volunteers removed the wet drywall, they discovered extensive mold and mouse droppings within the walls. As well, the wiring was not up to code and the foundation was deteriorated.
As a result, the hall had to be shut down while volunteers gutted the inside of the basement and brought in contractors to assess the situation.
The hall board also decided to include renovation upgrades while fixing the problems to allow easier access for residents with mobility restrictions.
The Ranch Lands Recreation Board will supply $50,000 from its section of the public reserve, while $28,000 will be taken from the general fund section of the public reserve.
Area Councillor Paul McLean said rural halls are a gathering place for the community and should be preserved.
ìThe hall is very important to the people in that community,î said McLean. ìIt gives them a place to hold functions and visit. I pledged a commitment to be an advocate for (rural) halls and I hope I can help them. I have to give a lot of credit to the Ranch Lands BoardÖ they understood the need and I applaud their efforts and I was happy to accommodate their request.î
Pat Pilat, treasurer of the Dartique Community Association agreed.
ìDartique hall is vital to our community in northwest Cochrane,î said Pilat.
ìThe hall is a vibrant hall with rentals, community exercise classes, craft sales, community garage sales, community dinners and dances.î
