By Sheldon Spackman

New Elks Lodge taking shape in Leslieville

Dec 17, 2018 | 1:20 PM

Construction is progressing well on a new Elks Lodge in Leslieville to replace the one destroyed by fire last year.

Dave Clough, secretary for the Leslieville Elks, says the new building’s exterior is finished with their focus now on the interior.

“The gyp-rocking is ongoing as we speak,” says Clough. “The siding is all on and we have a temporary furnace in right now. We did have our annual Turkey Shoot on the 8th and we used the community centre for a gathering spot and for lunch.”

Clough says community support for this project has simply been remarkable, saying it’s a great feeling to give to the community as much as they can, and in times of need, the community reciprocates.

“The things that you don’t think of and somebody volunteers for it or to do it and then all of a sudden out of the blue somebody will step-up with some more help,” he exclaims. “It’s just been almost overwhelming what people will step up to do when you’re in a situation like this.”  

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Clough says although they don’t have a definite move-in or completion date as of yet, he adds if all goes well, an opening could take place in late spring or early summer next year.

“Our funds are holding up better than we thought because once again the community has stepped-up and there’s been lots of people donating some time and help and that sort of thing,” he points-out. “All the services are in, we’re just waiting to get our furnace and everything up to speed. We’re hoping we’ll be able to continue with the funds we’ve got to a point that the building is useable.”

Clough notes the new Elks Lodge will be different from its predecessor.

“It’s one floor instead of two, so the footprint is bigger,” he explains. “It’s set off to the side of our lot so we can have probably a bigger parking area. As time goes on, we have plans to make that into a better parking lot than what we had before.”

The previous Elks Lodge in Leslieville was destroyed by fire on December 29, 2017. In January, Rocky Mountain House RCMP arrested a 17-year-old male youth and charged him with one count of arson.

That youth is currently scheduled for trial in Rocky Mountain House provincial court July 30, 2019.