Standard breaking ground for new hall building

Times Contributor

 

After four years of fundraising and planning, construction on the new Standard Community Hall has finally begun.  

The quonset on the site was demolished and hauled away by Knibb Developments and Bob Davidson’s Top Waste.  Gray’s Excavating is clearing away the topsoil.  Genivar is handling the tendering and site management, and the contractor is IMG Design Build from Calgary.

The project for the site and building came in well below the original projected cost. Susan Bragg (Standard Hall Board Director) said that “after paying for our lot, blueprints and engineering we have over $1.1 million to start construction including $34,395 from the Provincial Community Spirit Program. We also have applied for $375,000 under the Community Facility Enhancement Program and will borrow money from the Alberta Treasury Branch as we need it.”

As they continue to fundraise with a Golf Tournament in Bassano on July 28, and a Golf Ball Drop, Home Run Hitting Derby and Dunk Tank on Sports Day, Saturday, June 23 they will be able to reach their goal quicker in having the Standard Hall become a reality.

There have been many generous donations from local businesses and individuals.  Their major donors to date include the Standard Lions, Encana, Gates Agencies, Standard Lionettes and Husky Oil and many private contributors. 

Residents have had fun participating in the various fundraising events over the last four years including events during their Annual Sports Day, concerts performed by local country music artist Drew Gregory, and Gold Tournaments just to name a few.

The saying “many hands make for light work” always rings true in small rural communities such as Standard where everyone can come together to work on a project that will benefit the whole community in one way or another.