Benjamin Hall for sale

Years ago the Benjamin Hall, located off of Secondary Highway 766 about 11 miles southwest of Rimbey, was a happening place.

And, no doubt, if the walls could talk they would have lots of stories about the old days when the hall doubled as a schoolhouse.

But, now the blackboards are empty, and the hardwood floors bare and still.

After a slow downward spiral of disuse and disinterest, the Benjamin Hall is going the way of many country halls in rural Alberta and has been put up for sale.

It’s a sad state of affairs, said Evelyn Layton, secretary treasurer of the now defunct Benjamin Community Centre Board, but an empty hall does not bring in revenue and is at risk of vandalism.

“It’s been a part of the community for so long. It is sad, but leaving it empty we run the risk of vandalism.”

Layton recalled the years when the hall, which has electricity and gas, but no running water, was the hub of the community.

“It was brought in in 1945 from Blackfalds and it was used as a school until the students were bused into Eckville sometime in the Fifties,” she said.

Layton recalled the years when the hall was a busy place with dances, art classes, church services, suppers and card parties happening. The community’s annual Christmas party and summer picnic was held there.

Two years ago, those activities stopped, as well.

The Benjamin Ladies Club, a strong supporter of the hall folded in 2009 and funding for the hall came solely from quilt raffles.

However, as time went on the membership aged and some people moved away, and the hall fell into disuse. The Benjamin Ladies Club, a strong supporter of the hall folded in 2009 and funding came solely from quilt raffles.

Finally, only the Christmas party and the summer picnic were held at the once popular little building that holds about 50 people.

Two years ago those activities stopped, as well.

Now the hall is up for tender and the property it sits on has been purchased from Lacombe County by a local landowner.

Layton isn’t sure if anyone will be interested in putting in a tender for the old hall, that once rang with laughter and music, and now sits quiet and empty.

But she is hopeful.

“It’s unique,” she said. “Someone might want it.”