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Avilla rededicates its community center |
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Tuesday, 23 September 2008 |
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Damaged by arson earlier this year, center reopens to local patrons  Avilla Community Center is packed with visitors attending at an event celebrating the structure’s restoration from a spring fire. The building, which is owned by the Avilla Extension Homemakers Club, sustained extensive damage in a fire this spring. Around 100 people attended the event, where several local politicians spoke briefly. Lucy Murray, president of the EH Club, recognized Scott Salmela for his service as contractor, including donated labor, and Gary Halpain, who donated precision cut lumber.
A fire nearly destroyed the historic Avilla Community Center, but volunteers united to restore it and it’s ready for use again.
The ceremony included refreshments, a pie and cake auction and a quilt drawing. Candidates in the upcoming general election also had a chance to promote their platforms.
The event was hosted by the Avilla Extension Homemakers Club, which maintains the building.
The building’s primary function is serving as the polling site for nearly 2,000 voters.
An act of arson almost burned the community center to the ground in March. Avilla community residents stepped up to save the historic structure, and at the same time the grassroots effort saved the Saline County’s Clerk’s Office more than $1,000 in preparation for the May 20 primary. The restoration was completed in time for voters to cast their ballots in the primary election.
The Avilla EH Club has been maintaining the former schoolhouse since the 1940s, said Myra Pritchett, treasurer of the club.
Firefighters were surprised the 100-year-old structure didn’t burn to the ground. However, smoke and water damage occurred to some other parts of the building and some historic photographs and paintings hanging on the walls were destroyed.
Scott Salmela, owner of Hog Heaven Construction, donated the labor to repair the damage.
Gary Halpain donated the precision cut lumber for the restoration
Trustees of the building include Halpain, Dick Hoffman and Linda Acree. Lucy Murray is president of the EH club. Other members of the club include Frances West, Mildred Troboy, Doris Hubbard, LaVerne Massey and Barbara Howell.
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