Volunteers help Westville hall rise from ashes

Westfield Community Hall committee treasurer Judy Frail described the community effort as “phenomenal.”

The day post tropical storm Noel hit the Maritimes, Frail said 21 volunteers showed up to work on the hall.

They have had “work parties” a couple times thus far, but “the weather doesn’t cooperate,” she added.

They worked in more bad weather the weekend after the Nov. 3 storm and, to date, have worked over 1,000 volunteer hours.

Volunteers have come from North Queens, South Queens and Lunenburg County.

As of Nov. 26 the second gable ends were completed.

The walls are up, with roofing and shingling to begin shortly.

After this work is complete, they will start on the inside, Frail said.

“Our main goal is to get it winter tight,” she added.

They have spent about $35,000 of the $75,000 they currently have for the project, which they hope to have completed by early spring, said Frail.

She said donations have ranged from “monetary” to refrigerators and stoves.

“It’s just phenomenal the amount of stuff we’ve had.”

They have received donations from SHAID Animal Shelter, PJ’s Bargain Centre in Maitland, North Queens Schools, and the Lion’s Club.

St. Luke’s United Church in Upper Tantallon donated 80 chairs as well.

Frail said the volunteer work and donations are really helping the Westfield Community Hall Committee.

“That’s the kind of stuff that pulls it all together.”