ABC Hall

Julie Druker | Nov 15, 2012

Photo: regulars at the ABC Hall Open Mic and Potluck l-r, Mel McDougall, Frank Coleman and Glenn Russell

The old adage "If you build it they will come" is proving to be the case at the old ABC Hall in Bolingbroke. In an ongoing effort to revitalize community life in the area, members of the recently formed Althorpe-Bolingbroke Community Association have been breathing new life into the association and their home - the ABC hall.

The hall, which is located near Bolingbroke on Hwy 36, was originally built and founded as the Sherbrooke Community Club by seven members of the community in 1947. It was built with the vision of becoming a central hub where members of the community could meet, work and socialize together in one building for local entertainment, community meetings, parties and other events.

In 1949 the name of the hall was changed to the Althorpe Bolingbroke Community Club and in 1953, after copious fundraising efforts, the building was fully completed.

In 1974 the ABC Club was incorporated under the Community Centres Act of the Township of South Sherbrooke and on April 10, 1980 it was registered as a non-profit organization.

Since its construction, the hall has been managed over the years and operated by the ABC Club members and volunteers, who have performed all the routine maintenance and carried out most of the capital improvements. The hall became the central hub for emergency workers during the 1998 ice storm.

In 2003 the association applied for and received a $25,000 Trillium grant, which enabled numerous upgrades to the hall, including wheelchair accessibility for the entrance and washroom facilities, and updates to the kitchen facilities. The building has since developed into a fully functional community hall, with a well and septic tank, a kitchen, heating and air conditioning, and telephone service. In 2010, fundraising efforts allowed for the floor to be refurbished.

As the only community centre in a 10km radius, the hall has become over the years the home for numerous community organizations and events. President of the Althorpe-Bolingbroke Community Association, Martin Yates, said the recent efforts to rejuvenate the hall were “the kick in the pants in the community needed”. He spoke of the numerous events that are now taking place at the hall thanks in part to association member Freda Russell, who manages the new initiatives at the hall. Numerous members of the community are offering up their know how and talents at a number of regular scheduled events. New regular events at the hall include Yoga classes, a coffee house, the Women's Circle of Friends group, and the “Saturday Seekers”, an inter-faith Saturday Sunday school for youngsters organized and run by Rev. Micheline Montreuil. These, together with other long-time regular gatherings for euchre, the CPHC Seniors exercise class and Diners' Club, and the Seniors Club along with the monthly Saturday Night Potluck Jams/Open Mic, make the hall a very busy place these days.

I visited the hall on November 10 where singer/musician Glenn Russell was hosting the Open Mic and taking down names of participants. It's an event he began with his wife Freda three years ago, which attracts a myriad of players from far and wide. Other efforts undertaken by the association was a recent membership drive, which this September saw the total number of members double from 14 to 30 families (the cost of membership is just $10 per year per family).

For those in the area who have yet to visit the ABC Hall, your chance is coming up on November 24. The association will be holding an Open House at the hall with displays and information by the various groups that hold regular events there. The Open House takes place from 2 - 4pm. The Bolingbroke hall is located at 3166 Bolingbroke Road between Maberly and Westport. For information about membership contact Martin Yates at 613-273-7505. Anyone interested in renting the hall for an event can contact Joyce Fleming at 613-273-4832 .