The Keremeos Elks are moving steadily along with work on their new hall but they are still looking for assistance with bringing it to completion.
Since work began in July 2021, all of the walls have been raised, the roof covered and electrical wiring completed. A lot has been completed by the Elks and local volunteers, but there is still more to be done.
They are still looking for volunteers willing to come out and help complete the hall. One of the key pieces of work they are looking to get done at the moment is mudding and drywalling, and some of the previous volunteers are no longer available to help the Elks members.
“We’re down to about two or three days a week now,” said Dave Barker, the Elks Rodeo chairman. ”One guy was here for the winter and the other guy went all the way to Scotland. So we lost two good workers but we’re still plugging along.”
READ MORE: Keremeos Elks new hall shaping up on Rodeo Grounds
The project has seen great support from the community, with many local businesses contributing with either reduced material costs or extra labour.
At the moment the Elks work on the new hall twice a week on Mondays and Fridays during the mornings, and they welcome anyone willing to come done and lend a hand.
“We do ask that everyone is vaccinated, just because of the age of some of our members,” said Barker.
While work has been moving steadily ahead on the hall, some new events are being prepared, including a private invitation-only car show which raises funds for a charity that moved from Maple Ridge in search of a larger place.
There are also a truck show and a vintage trailer show that will be coming later in 2022.
Unfortunately, this year will be the third since 2020 that they have been forced to cancel the Keremeos Elks Rodeo, due to extra costs and the loss of a few of the events.
The Elks are looking at raising funds to hopefully bring the festival back in 2023, which will also hopefully see a return of many of the rodeo competitors who left the circuit during the pandemic.
While the Rodeo may not be going forward, other events at the Elks Rodeo Groundswill still take place.
The Elks are also gearing up for the return of the Bluegrass Jamboree in June. The event will keep to the same proven formula as years past. That means opening up the rodeo grounds for camping,
“They told us to keep it the way it was and to keep it affordable,” said Barker. “We looked at bringing a band in, Summerland does that, and they said no. Once you bring in a band you have to pay them and then it costs more. “
The Jamboree brings people from all across the country to rodeo grounds, in part because it is an affordable event.
More information about the Bluegrass Jamboree can be found on their new website at www.keremeosbluegrass.com.
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