The joint project with the Battlefords Vintage Automobile Club, the Fred Light Museum and the Town of Battleford has received a real shot in the arm from another community group.
The project, a replica of the former Battlefords landmark Fred Light Service Station is under construction on the Fred Light Museum grounds. The car club is supplying the volunteer labour, the museum is supplying the real estate and the operation and the Town is going to look after the operating costs. This leaves only the cost of material to be raised.
Starting with a budget of $44,000, the car club had managed to raise $21,000 in donations from local businesses and individuals. This was enough to get the project started and complete phase one which is to have the structure erected and closed in for winter.
The progress showed and was noted by another community group, the Eagle Hills Community Centre group. They had recently decided to disband and sell the community hall located south of the Battlefords. The question for the group was what to do with the proceeds of the sale. They surveyed the community and found three causes they wished to support and one of them was the Fred Light project.
A donation of $12,500 was presented to the BVAC members at their work night on Sept. 15. Members of the Eagle Hills Community Centre group stopped by the project and presented Cliff Carstensen of the BVAC with the cheque. This donation makes the Eagle Hills group the largest contributor and the major sponsor of the project.
Other major donations of $2,500 or more have been received from the North Battleford Lions Club, Bridges Chevrolet, Silvester RV and Battleford Furniture.
Carstensen was of course quick to remind all present that this still leaves approximately $10,500 to be raised to complete the project.
More information on the project can be obtained by contacting BVAC project director Cliff Carstensen or any of the member organizations.
Battlefords Vintage Automobile Club may be contacted through Cliff Carstensen at 306-445-4218 or PO Box 484, Battleford, SK S0M 0E0.
The Fred Light Museum may be contacted at 11-20th St. East in Battleford or phone 306-937-7111.
The Town of Battleford may be contacted at PO Box 40, Battleford or phone 306-937-6200.
