Well what a Saturday night the Village of Maymont had Oct. 17, celebrating 70 years of the Maymont Memorial Hall.
I had told you previously that you would enjoy two hours of great entertainment and yes, it was. Talent from the Sloan family and friends did bring some of the crowd to their feet, especially when Shelley Bloom sang I鈥檒l Leave the Porch Light On to honour the soldiers. The song was written by Darrel Delaronde, who lived in Maymont at one time, and Darrel and Saskia sing this song when they do a concert. Musicians鈥� and singers鈥� ages range was from 10 to 77 years old.
Thanks, everyone, for coming out and special thanks to the Maymont Hall committee for having this event.
Here鈥檚 some facts over the years as to what has happened at the Maymont Hall.
April 23, 1945: A rehabilitation committee composed of 22 citizens called a meeting to decide on a suitable project for a war memorial. A memorial hall was decided upon, to be known as 鈥淭he Maymont Community Memorial Hall Co-operative Association Limited.鈥� Shares were to be sold at $5 per share.
November 1945: A bee was held and gravel from the Fielding pit was hauled.
January 1946: Gilbert and Webster of Saskatoon were employed as architects. A building 40 by 76 feet with a full size basement was to be built.
March 1946: 聽Ladies鈥� work committee was organized to help with finances.
June 1946: More gravel was hauled. Lumber was ordered. Iron rods were procured from elevator annexes, as well as cement and nails for the foundation.
August 1947: Lumber from the North Battleford airport was purchased. Many volunteers worked hard, day after day, tearing down an H-hut and moving the lumber to Maymont. Funds were raised from concerts, entertainment, donations from organizations, sale of shares and raffles. Some was borrowed from private individuals.
Sept. 29, 1947: A foundation for the hall was started.
June 1948: Work on the hall began with Corny Buhr as carpenter and with volunteer labour. Several committees were working for the hall in different ways. By November meetings could be held. A motion picture machine was bought. By the end of 1948 the hall was nearly completed for a cost of $8,760.
1954: Money borrowed to pay for the furnace was paid back and the hall was clear of debt.
1963: A new hardwood floor was laid with the help of volunteers.
1971: A low pitch roof was built over the flat portion of the hall roof, with lumber from the old curling rink, and covered with asphalt shingles. The ceiling of the auditorium was tiled.
1973: The stage was redecorated with panel board and the main walls of the auditorium were repainted.
1978: The entire exterior was painted for the first time since it was built.
1995: The use of the Memorial Hall began to wane after the new school and community complex was built. Now it had to struggle to make ends meet.
2008 鈥� 2015: Interest was rejuvenated, metal roofing was put on part of the roof to stop it from leaking. A new paint job on the outside of the hall was started, and the sides and front finished. New front doors were put on and painted, new steps built, windows that could be opened were purchased and other small things done. A cloak room as well as the ticket room were taken out and two new handicap accessible bathrooms were built upstairs. New toilets and carpet were put in downstairs. Pictures of the early days in Maymont were hung on the walls. New tables and chairs were purchased, the stage was given a facelift and new drapes for the windows were hung. Extensive work was done in the basement. A new furnace was installed. The front of the hall was repaired and painted and a new sign put up. This was all done by holding musical events such as The Legends, jam sessions, trade fairs, dances and working bingos as well as other fundraisers.
The Maymont Memorial Hall has stood for 70 years in remembrance of the soldiers from our community who fought, with some giving their lives in the First and Second World Wars. We are proud of it and want to see it carry on for many more years.
Thanks to Judy and Gary Gallie and Bonnie Milman who helped us man our post for the elections in Maymont. What an experience if you haven鈥檛 done it before. Mel and I sure appreciated everyone who came out to vote.
