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Federal grant to pay for Scout Hall facelift

The well-used structure familiar to Scouts is getting $200,000 for new heating and air conditioning, plumbing, storage areas and more.

By PAUL SWIDER
Published January 4, 2006

GULFPORT - After decades of use and years of neglect, Scout Hall will get a makeover courtesy of a $200,000 federal economic development grant.

"Congressman (Bill) Young came through for us," said Mayor Mike Yakes of the appropriation in this year's budget bill to refurbish the 80-some-year-old building that now rests in Chase Park next to the city's Historical Society Museum. "Scout Hall is near and dear to everyone."

Scout Hall, so named because one of its primary uses is for Scouting troop meetings, started life in the 1920s as the Gulfport Pentecostal Church, said Jim O'Reilly, the city's leisure services director.

In the '30s, the city took possession of the building and moved it from 49th Street to its present location as the first community and recreation center.

The city outgrew the building and in 1964 built another community center, leaving Scout Hall for group uses. It received little attention in the ensuing years.

"The building's been there a long time," Young said of the white, wooden structure where he had visited with Scout troops in the past. "It's in disrepair, needs heating, cooling, lots of work."

Yakes said the city has tried to keep the building up over time but it aged faster than minor maintenance could repair it. After refurbishing the historical museum, the community developed an interest in fixing Scout Hall, too.

"We tried to show the city we were serious about getting the building restored," said Art Padula, a member of the Gulfport Lions' Club that sponsored one of the Scout troops that used the hall and part of the committee to repair the hall.

"It just hasn't been maintained for 20 years. A building that age does require regular upkeep."

The city began budgeting money to repair the building, but hired consultants to determine what needed to be done.

Fearing major structural problems, city officials began looking for grants for major renovation. When, this year, a state grant application fell through, Yakes contacted Young's office.

"We have people with heart and passion, but we can't get it done with just that," Yakes said.

Padula, who works in construction, said the community committee estimated the building could be fixed up for about $125,000.

With the federal money and a $50,000 city contribution, there should be plenty for new heating and air conditioning, plumbing, storage areas and much more.

"That'll work," said Padula, who was the contractor for similar work on the historical museum for less than $100,000. "For $250,000, (Scout Hall) could be rebuilt totally.

"That'll be a wonderful present for the Scouts and all the other people who use the building too."

Yakes said he's not sure when the city will receive the money but that he expects work to start around July. He said he learned of the funding Dec. 21.

"This is a great Christmas present," Yakes said. "The building will be shiny, the kids will be happy. This mayor's sure happy."

[Last modified January 4, 2006, 01:07:18]