County helps to fund new hall

Liberty Hall was built in 1921 as a temporary structure.

Now, almost a century later, the hall is not only still standing, it is a busy place, housing many activities, including the ever-popular Springdale Players annual dinner theatre.

This year marks the 18th dinner theatre for the group who will perform Good Help is Hard to Murder, a Pat Cook comedy which takes place in the Deep Southern States.

The play, which runs every weekend throughout February, is made possible not only through the group of talented actors, but through the help of about 250 volunteers who willingly give of their time to help out.

Each of the eight shows is sold out.

But, even though the dinner theatre is alive and well and other activities including reunions, picnics, dinners and exercise classes are held at the hall, the building is tired and old. The roof leaks badly, the water and sewer pipes freeze every winter, the kitchen is not up to commercial qualifications and operational costs continue to rise.

The board has been saving diligently for many years to build a new hall and recently were pleased to learn that Ponoka County will contribute $140,000 in matching funds for their project.

Ponoka County Coun. Paul McLauchlin said council was impressed because the hall board had already raised significant dollars on their own when they requested the funding.

“This was one of the few situations for council where there was no debate,” he said. “It was an unusual request as we had never seen this level of community support for a project. They (the Liberty Hall board) is an example for other communities to follow.”

Hall board member Rick Boyes said the money from the county means work on a new hall will probably begin this spring. Ponoka County will assist with the dirt work.

The new hall is to be built on the same site as the original and is to be approximately the same size.

“We want to maintain the same small community hall feel,” said Boyes. “We are going for a functional hall.”

Boyes said hall board members are pleased Ponoka County stepped up to the plate to help out with the project and are hopeful provincial funding and corporate donations will be received as well. He noted the funding now in place is not sufficient to complete the hall, but will be enough to put a shell up.

He said the old hall will remain operational until the new one is completely functional.