LUSELAND - The new Luseland hall board has hit the ground running and started their fundraising campaign with a successful paint night fundraiser, facilitated by local artist, Jared Fischer.
The paint night fundraiser held on Nov. 27 was set up to kick start fundraising for these maintenance and upgrade needs. Thanks to multiple donations from local businesses, that were either part of a silent auction or raffle table, the community rallied to donate to this valuable cause. Bazylinski says it was a great night and a great way to begin their fundraising campaign for these capital upgrades to Luseland’s hall.
The community hall in Luseland was built in 1972 as a homecoming project by local people in the community. It was a huge, collaborative effort by volunteers to build this hall which is still in use today.
Krystal Bazylinski, hall committee chairperson, says, “Our goal is to keep it going for many more generations to come after us.”
“The previous hall board was put together many years ago, with the majority of members sitting for a long period of time. The decision was made that a changeover was needed, and a completely new board to be formed. I, as town councillor, took over that appointment, and started getting new members together to start steamrolling ahead on projects that need to be done, and envisioning on how we can get there,” said Bazylinski
The new board includes Bazylinski as chair; Mayor Kathy Wurz, who has been helping get the new board started; Jean Halliday serving as treasurer and also representing the Luseland Arts Council. Tanis Scheuerman is the board’s secretary. Trent Eurich represents the RM of Progress; Jared Fisher represents Pothole Productions team and there are a a few other members at large that include Deven Reiber and Cassidy Zunti. The newly formed board continues to look for more members
The hall board also just recently hired a handyman to help with small, odd jobs that need to be looked at and when new ones arise and are happy to have Evan on the hall team.
Bazylinski says the hall is in need of some big projects. Areas they are focusing on at present are a new boiler, replacement eavestroughs and gutters, as well as some electrical work to help hang up some new stage lighting that is sitting awaiting its new home.
The new hall board has some additional ideas on other fundraising for this work. Discussions have led to the hope that bingos, dances, haunted house, potentially more paint nights and other suggestions to help with their fundraising efforts.
“This hall is a very important staple in our community. So many functions go on here like weddings, high school graduation, Pothole Productions, all the arts council shows, Canada day functions, marketplace and the list goes on and on. The community needs this facility running in tip-top shape, so we can still be able to offer this venue to generations to come. We have to do some big upgrades to get it to where it needs to be to function as it should. Another big project that we need to start working towards as well as upgrading the kitchen. Being able to have upgraded stoves, ovens, dishwashers in there to accommodate caterers is a big deal that we would like to provide,” says Bazylinski.
The hall board will be relying on their community to either help on the board, volunteer for one of the work parties or fundraising efforts, or by supporting the fundraising activities in the days ahead. The hall is a vital piece of the community and will need full support from everyone to do the work necessary so it can remain a great option for community events and activities now and into the future.
A safe winter walking option has also been suggested. The hall board said the more this venue can be used, the more engaged people are with its upkeep and upgrades as well as helping out where and when they can with efforts to update and maintain the facility.
