The 1st Elmira Scout Group is making great progress on this year’s big project, but is putting a call out to past Scouts and friends of the organization to help them raise the last of the funds required to move their clubhouse.
The organization is taking down the building from its current location on Martin’s Lane and setting up shop on township land at 75 Oriole Pkwy. That site is already home to the Rovers’ den used by older members of the Scouting group.
“We have never put a call out to past Scouts before, so we are not sure how it will go,” said Scout leader Brian Soehner. “We have had tremendous support from the local service clubs but we just need that extra push to make sure that we can get the clubhouse up and running again.”
The 1st Elmira Scout Group is made up of six sections: two Beaver colonies, one Cub pack, one Scout troop, one Venturer company, and one Rover crew. The storage shed was built in 1988 for use by all of the groups and sits on land rented from Martin Mills for $1 a year. That site, however, is proposed to house a biogas energy plant, prompting the search for a new location. The project is estimated to cost $25,000 to $30,000; to date, the organization has raised more than $19,000.
The group hopes to use materials from the existing 1,200-square-foot structure to erect the new shed. It will be slightly smaller because the site falls within a floodplain, restricting the available space. Because the land is municipally owned, the township has agreed to file the necessary paperwork, negating fees for a building permit and development charges, saving a total of some $7,700.
“The clubhouse is really a focal point for the organization,” explained Soehner. “All the kids meet there to prepare for their camp outings and trips. Most of the activities that the group does start at the Scout shed. I remember back when we didn’t have a central place like this, we kept our equipment in garages and barns around the area. We are very fortunate to have somewhere like this to call our own.”
The group is asking for contributions of $100, but any amount will be gladly accepted. Tax receipts will be issued for all contributions of $20 or more. To make a donation, please contact Ron Cressman, chair of the moving committee, at 519-669-8610. Donations can be made payable to Scouts Canada – 1st Elmira Scout Group and sent to Box 31 Elmira ON N3B 2Z5.
