The board of directors of the historic Bentley Community Hall has been hard at work updating, renovating, and sprucing up the hall.
At the end of March the basement kitchen was inspected and received approval so can now be used, although no grilling is allowed.
The updated kitchen includes two stoves, two double sinks with contemporary taps, an industrial stainless steel sink, a new cooler, new counter tops, and a fresh coat of paint on walls, cupboards, and floor.
Cash donations from the Bentley Farmer's Market, Royal Purple, Bentley Elks, Servus Credit Union, and Revmasters Car Club along with a Walmart gift card, a lot of donated counter top from Counter Scapes, Red Deer, tiles from Barb and Greg Carson, and volunteer labor made the upgrade possible.
Hopes are rentals will increase with the kitchen now being available. The bar area upstairs had also been renovated.
Much of the acoustic ceiling tiles in the main hall are being replaced.
Water damage occurred in the upstairs bathrooms at the south end of the hall when eaves trough froze up, ice backed up, and water seeped inside and down the walls. Gyprock had to be replaced and tiles and painting redone.
Fundraisers are being planned by the board to help pay for upgrades.
There was a pancake breakfast on May 17 from 9-11 a.m., the same day as the first 2014 season Farmer's Market. Pancakes, sausages, etc were prepared in the updated basement kitchen and served upstairs indoors so people will be warm and out of the elements.
The public is invited to come see the improvements while at the same time supporting the hall.
A concert by The Great Plains (Darrel Delaronde and Saskia Overbeek) is scheduled for May 30 with advance tickets available now. They are listed as fabulous folk with Celtic, bluegrass and country flavors.
By-laws are also being updated.
At the annual general meeting on April 23 the board was returned and include executive, president Phil Walton, vice president Colleen McNaught, secretary / treasurer Mona Kubista, casino chair Vera Boettger and director Arnold Kubista.