By Terrie Schmidt-Crosby
The Record 

Rejuvenation of Old Town Hall continues

 

Last updated 9/23/2021 at 10:08am

Photos by Terri King | Special to The Record

Volunteer Carsen Weber replaces rotted ceiling tiles in the Old Town Hall as part of the Lowe's sponsored renovation project.

ODESSA – Work on the Old Town Hall continued even as preparations for Deutschesfest were underway last week. Perhaps it was to be expected that a 100-year-old building would throw many obstacles into the path of those trying to update it. Removal of the carpeting revealed a gaping hole in the floor of the south room, meaning that vendors would not be able to use the space during Fest. The Odessa Historical Society and the Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society had been hoping to raise funds by hosting vendors there.

Despite that setback, there was additional good news for the structure. Three Lowe's managers from Spokane-area stores, who are also the team captains assigned to the Odessa project, have generously decided to use their Hometown Heroes funds to purchase 10 new light fixtures and several new appliances for the kitchen in the Old Town Hall. The lights arrive next week, FBLA advisor Terri King told The Record.


King also reports big changes in the structure over the last week. Zeigler Construction finished framing, installing sheet rock, sanding, texturing and priming all the walls in the south room. They are no longer cracked and covered with patches but are now pristine and ready to be painted a creamy white color.

Volunteers have been critical to this renovation process. Community members Marlon Schafer, Chuck Watkins, Travis Wagner and Carsen Weber, removed rotted ceiling tiles and replaced them just in time for painting. FFA members and other student volunteers with muscle, have cut and removed the carpeting.


Former Odessa resident Dale King will put his engineering and construction skills to work to repair the hole in the floor. Matt Gorman, owner of one of Odessa's newest businesses, Rescue Heating & Cooling, is moving a vent in order to repair the floor. Removing the plywood subfloor in preparation for the installation of hardwood floors will be the next major task for volunteers. The work of all these volunteers has saved thousands of dollars in construction costs, Terri King says.

"This project is a true community effort. Over the last week more than $5,000 was donated to the 'Nature Calls, Let's Restore the Walls' campaign, bringing total donations to nearly $8,000. With a goal of raising $12,800 by September 30, when the bill has to be paid, the FBLA members sponsoring the campaign feel confident about reaching their goal," says Terri King.

Author Bio

Terrie Schmidt-Crosby, Editor

Terrie Schmidt-Crosby is an editor with Free Press Publishing. She is the former owner and current editor of the Odessa Record, based in Odessa, Wash.

 

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