One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
Members of the Ravenscliffe Community Centre Association are looking for donations for an upcoming yard sale, which will direct proceeds to the Ravenscliffe Community Centre’s restoration project.
Association president Rick Keevil says that while gently used items will be graciously accepted, larger items like furniture, appliances and any sort of equipment are also being sought. This yard sale will be one not to miss as some big-ticket items like a generator, a snowblower and dozens of other smaller knick-knacks have already been generously donated.
“There’s some work that’s needed on the inside of the building and we’re hoping to raise enough money for an addition, which will have washrooms and a stage,” said Keevil, who has been a long-time resident of Ravenscliffe Road and is spearheading efforts to get the ball rolling on the building’s upgrades.
The yard sale will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be a barbecue.
Keevil indicated that people can also make financial donations to the community centre restoration project and will be issued a tax receipt.
We’re hoping to get the community spirit back on Ravenscliffe the way it used to be. I think a lot of people have forgot there used to be many small community-based activities going there at one time. It would be nice to see a playground there for kids to come play.
The Ravenscliffe Community Centre was once a vibrant hub of Ravenscliffe Road. More than 80 years ago, it was a schoolhouse for children who resided around the Ravenscliffe area. It then became a hall and was used as a venue for weekly bible school and bingo, and other special events like weddings, family reunions, dances and benefits. The community centre is entrusted by Trillium Lakelands District School Board for community use.
Keevil and members of the association have been working diligently in the last year to raise funds in order to make the repairs needed on the century-old building. Over a year ago, he hired an engineer to conduct an assessment on the state of the building, and it was deemed that the foundation was still solid. A new electrical system was installed underground and a local company agreed to donate time and materials for a new well. The restoration project aims to make the building wheelchair accessible, and add washrooms and a stage for future concerts. Keevil also has the future goal of making a dome structure with a concrete floor that could be flooded and used as a skating rink during the winter months.
Anyone who is interested in donating items to the upcoming yard sale can call Rick Keevil at 705-783-9499.
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John Brooks says
Great place and I will be at bbq. My father and Stan Cartwright, Rick Weevil and many others did renos and a bunch of stuff there many years ago when I was teenager. Would love to chip in and help get it back up and running.