The Crossfield Community Hall Board, currently made up of three members, has expressed interest to disband to Town council, citing lack of interest.
The Crossfield Community Hall was built in 1990 and opened in 1991, and was debt free on opening day. Contributions from the Federal Government, the Town, the County and local organizations helped pay for the building.
But there is only one sitting volunteer member on the board, Shelby Beefus, as Deloras Hehr, from the Crossfield Agricultural Society and Garry Richardson, Town councillor, are required to sit on the board.
“The hall board sets the rates, answers a lot of questions for the public, hires the cleaning staff,” said Richardson. “Currently, there are three board members. They are a great group of people. We have advertised, but there is zero interest. We are finding that with all the boards.”
For the past two years, due to the lack of membership, Community Services Director Russ Nash has been overseeing the upkeep of the building.
Richardson says it seems that people are just too busy to commit to the three-year term required for the board.
Before disbanding, council will approach the arena board to see if it would be open to amalgamating.
“People will commit to a project, like the building committee (for the new Town hall) but they just don’t want to commit to three years on a committee,” said Richardson.
“We are looking at combining the (arena and hall) boards. That is being pursued before we disband the board.”
If the arena board decides against the unification, it will be disbanded and operations will be taken over by the Town.
Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson says that if they can’t combine the boards, he will look into finding some interested residents more directly.
“We need to actively recruit people. If we can’t have a successful amalgamation, then I think we should identify people and sit down with them and explain the importance and ask them,” said Anderson. “I am confident that we will get the people we need.”
The Rick Hansen Relay will be making a stop in Crossfield on Feb. 29, 2012, and organizers are looking for a local representative to take part in the event.
Hansen is a Canadian Paralympian, who lost the use of his legs after a car crash at the age of 15.
From 1985 through 1987, Hansen wheeled around the world, raising awareness for spinal cord injuries.
This year and next, Hansen is holding a 25th anniversary relay that will be making stops in communities around Rocky View County.
Due to the deadline for submitting the individual, Crossfield councillors and Anderson are putting together their nominees to choose someone within the next week.
“We are getting pretty close to choosing a candidate,” said Anderson.
“Out of respect to him, it’s important to us that the person is not just an outstanding resident, but someone who has had to fight spinal cord injuries.”
The next meeting of Crossfield council will be Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.
