The Elks Hall has a new roof over the rear parking lot entrance thanks to the help of three local businesses.
Pioneer Log Homes, Mainline Roofing and Ellis Exteriors have all contributed to the project.
Arnie Zimmerman, on behalf of the Williams Lake Elks and Royal Purple specifically thanks Gord Kosolofski of Mainline Roofing, Sean Ellis of Ellis Contracting and Brian Reid of Pioneer Log Homes for their generous donation of the structure.
“This shows how local businesses pull together and help this community,” says Zimmerman.
He says the Elks are really struggling to keep rentals of the Elks Hall up for weddings, concerts, banquets, celebrations of life, trade shows and other events.
“It costs a lot to keep the hall running with the high cost of utilities,” Zimmerman says.
He says rentals in November and December are usually excellent but a lot slower at other times of the year.
“We need more hall rentals to pay for the hall expenses. If we had more members, we could do a lot more in terms fundraising events to raise much needed money,” Zimmerman says.
“We are very low on members and the more members we have, the more we can do to help people in our community.
“In order for us to continue to do what we do best, helping people in need, we need to increase our membership.”
He asks people who are interested in joining the “best family oriented organization in Canada,” and being part of the Williams Lake Elks and the Ladies of the Royal Purple to contact him at 250-392-5451 or talk to any of the members.
“We would really appreciate your help,” Zimmerman says. Our Elks hall helps the community in a number of ways during the year.
“We are still the largest hall in town and it has all the facilities needed for many functions. The Elks Hall is a milestone in our community and we would hate to see us loose it.
“One of our main charities is to support local children and regionally with hearing aids. Every year our organization gives out bursaries for students who want to pursue their career.”
He says Barton Insurance has donated a 10-foot electric remote retractable screen for the hall which is available for various events.
The screen and the Elks public address system are available to renters free of charge.
“We know this will benefit our community and all the people who use our hall,” Zimmerman says. “The Ladies of the Royal Purple would also really appreciate volunteers to help in the kitchen when catering for events.”
People wishing to volunteer can call Arnie at 250-392-5451 or his wife Doreen at the same number if they are able to help with catering.
“We allow our kitchen to be used for various catered functions,” Zimmerman says. “Some of our kitchen items at times seem to go missing. If anyone has inadvertently taken some of the kitchen items could they please return them. Come and join us and help our community.”