The wait is over for Standard and area residents. After four years of fundraising and planning, construction on the brand new Standard Community Hall has begun.
On Tuesday, June 19, the ground was officially broken at the new site.
Attending the ceremony was Susan Bragg, Hall Board Director, Mayor of Standard Alan Larsen, president of IMG Design Build Brad Franssen, and donors to the project.
"The project came in well below the projected cost," said Bragg. "After paying for our lot, blueprints, and engineering we have over $1.1 million to start construction."
The project has secured $34,395 from the Alberta Community Spirit Program and they have applied for $375,000 from the Community Facility Enhancement Program.
Even though constructon has begun, fundraising efforts continue. The Standard Hall Board is hosting a golf ball drop, home run hitting derby, and dunk tank at Sports Day on June 23 and a golf tournament in Bassano on July 28.
The project has received major donations from the Standard Lion and Lionettes, Encana, Gates Agencies, and Husky.
"We are excited to have a larger, accessible, energy efficient meeting place for everyone in the Village and surrounding area," said Bragg. "We are also looking forward to having a facility that is easy to maintain and serves as a disaster center for area residents and businesses."