Harding to host hostel rep
- Details
- Published on Sunday, November 6, 2016
By Bev Bennett
Harding Community Club consists of six members, whose mandate is to actively participate and support community activities. There has always been a ladies group in the community, dating back to 1893, but the name has changed several times over the years, from church groups to Women’s Institute and now, a community club. Our building is the former church, which was originally built at Greenwood Cemetery in 1893.
When the railway came and Harding town was being established, a decision was made to relocate the church to Harding town (then called Bradwardine town). We sold cookbooks and mugs to provide some funds to replace windows, do painting and general upkeep, and later publishing an update to the history book. Around that time, due to insurance reasons, ownership of Harding Community Center was transferred to RM of Woodworth, with Harding Community Club to remain as managers of the facility and be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep.
In the late 1990s the foundation deteriorated beyond repair and we faced the difficult decision of demolition or moving onto a new foundation. We decided, after much contemplation, to move it closer to the fair grounds where it could be utilized on fair day. With some financial help from Harding Agricultural Society to relocate, a new foundation adjacent to the fair grounds was made and the move became a reality in 2000. Around 2010 new food handling regulations came to be and because our group provides the meals on fair day, we decided to update our kitchen facilities to comply with the new regulations. In 2011 we updated our kitchen and now we are a licensed food handling facility, and since 1995 are licensed for liquor up to 44 people. August of 2011 we had our first fundraising Sunday supper to help pay for renovations.
With the inside completed, we focused on the exterior, which needed attention. In 2013 the building was insulated for the first time and new siding, eavestrough and ramp were installed. We also bought new chairs and some landscaping was done. The monthly Sunday suppers proved to be so successful that we had to put in air conditioning! One thing leads to another and because the building was now so air tight, we developed a moisture problem; we had to install an air exchanger. The final landscaping was done to display the memorial plaque and a new sign was donated and installed in 2015.
Over time our many projects have been financed through grants as well as from local contributors. We take pride in the fact that we continue to maintain the former church building that has withstood two moves and still serves the community well.
Members are proud to be able to provide annual support to Greenwood Cemetery and a junior cooking class at Harding Fair; we have done this for more than 25 years.
We want to thank people for their past patronage and hope they continue to support us. In the past we have been fortunate enough to utilize student volunteers at our suppers; these students qualify for school credits by volunteering. But, as we are running out of enough students, we are forced to only have two suppers in 2017, those being Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving. We have returned the student volunteer favour by sponsoring a graduate bursary at both Hamiota and Virden Collegiates.
This past year we are supporting our charity of choice, A Port in the Storm, which is a hostel for rural and northern people and their families who have to receive medical treatment in Winnipeg. We are planning a mini Mall in the Hall at Harding Community Center on Sunday, Nov. 20 at which time a representative from “The Port” will provide us with an update and we will present our donation to them. We encourage your attendance. Personal donations will be accepted and receipts issued for donations over $20.
