ORWIGSBURG – Senator David G. Argall (R-29), Representative Jerry Knowles (R-124) and borough officials announced a $200,000 grant awarded to Orwigsburg Borough for Community Memorial Hall renovations.
The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved the funding through their Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program to allow the facility built in 1950 to receive much-needed upgrades. Specifically, the community project will allow the borough to provide new insulation, windows and doors for the property located at 300 Grove Street.
The restoration of the facility was made possible through private donations totaling more than $280,000.
Sen. Argall applauded the efforts of many local volunteers. “The people of the Orwigsburg area, through their private donations, have overwhelmingly embraced this project, which greatly helped the Borough’s grant application. This project is an excellent example of the private and public sector working together to improve an important community facility. I applaud the good work of the Orwigsburg Memorial Task Force and borough officials for their leadership on this issue.”
The private-public partnership fundraising effort to restore the community’s iconic building has been a five-year process. The building serves as a tribute to local veterans.
“The Community Memorial Hall has served as a gathering place for residents in our area for generations, and I am pleased that this tradition will continue through the restoration of the facility,” Knowles said. “Through this grant, area residents will be able to enjoy community and recreational events for years to come.”
Officials from the borough applauded the collaboration with the state.
“Receiving this grant is further proof of the value of the Memorial to the community. Congratulations and thanks to the taskforce,” said Michael P. Lonergan, Borough Manager of Orwigsburg Borough.
“The Memorial Project is a perfect example of how private fundraising coupled with state grant funding can make a project happen,” said Borough Council President Michele Rudloff. “I continue to be amazed at the commitment of the dedicated volunteers that make up the Memorial Task Force. Their sheer determination is to be commended and once complete, the building will be a terrific asset for our community and its residents.”
“The $200,000 provided by the CFA Program will help the project realize substantial completion of the exterior of this community building (Phase IV on our projected timeline/schedule),” said Greg Stewart, President of the Orwigsburg Veterans’ Memorial Development Task Force. “We were glad to see so many individuals and organizations offer letters of support, recognizing the value of rehabilitating this building. The Building was originally built in the 1950’s to honor our veterans and is now used to for many recreational activities, events, fundraisers and more. Once this phase of the project is complete, we anticipate that we will be able to attract the final donations needed to complete this project in its entirety. We can see the light at the end of tunnel.”