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- The Mineral Wells Community Center often uses the kitchen to host spaghetti dinners and other community events. (Photo Provided)
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- Some of the proposed renovations to the Mineral Wells Community Center include raising the floor and updating the original light fixtures. (Photo Provided)
The Mineral Wells Community Center often uses the kitchen to host spaghetti dinners and other community events. (Photo Provided)
MINERAL WELLS — The Mineral Wells Community Building is in need of serious renovations, and volunteers from the Mineral Wells community are working hard to come up with potential fundraising opportunities.
Built in 1947, the community building has seen wear-and-tear on both the inside and out. Even though parts of the building have been updated over time, many of the fixtures are original, such as the cabinets in the kitchen, the chairs, and the doors, volunteers said.
There is a leak in the roof that is causing water damage to the inside of the building, which volunteers fear could spread and grow mold. Also, the pipes that connect to the main sewer line will also need to be replaced according to current regulations.
The building’s electrical wiring, which has not been touched since the 1960s, has also made it more difficult for community members to use the kitchen for events due to its limitations. There are no vital GCFI outlets available in the building to ensure safety, and extension cords often have to be used to make up for the lack of outlets in both the kitchen and gathering room, volunteers said.
The community building plays host every week to a variety of events, such as 4-H meetings, yard sales, and baton classes. Cliff Hecker, the Fundraising Coordinator for the Mineral Wells Community Building, said the money paid by community members to book the building for events does not turn into profit.
Some of the proposed renovations to the Mineral Wells Community Center include raising the floor and updating the original light fixtures. (Photo Provided)
“When we do events here, we charge just enough to pay for the utilities and insurance,” said Hecker. “We don’t make any money. That’s not the purpose of the building.”
Hecker said he also wants to revamp the entrance by installing double doors and raising the flooring to make the building more handicap accessible.
In the coming months, Hecker said the volunteers plan to host multiple fundraising opportunities to help pay for the renovations. Their goal is $75,000, and they plan to display a thermometer sign outside of the building to show their progress to the community.
“In October, we want to host our own spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser. And my goal is, if everything works out right, is to do a drive-thru donation center,” said Hecker. “For the ‘in memory of’ donation for $100, you get a 3-by-5 inch plaque, and it’ll go on the side of the building.”
Hecker encourages people who want to donate to visit the building during their upcoming fundraisers or check out the Mineral Wells Community Building Facebook page for their GoFundMe campaign and other news about the building’s renovations.
