On the evening of Saturday, December the 6th 1975, after a rental Christmas party, our lodge that was constructed in the 1940’s was destroyed by fire. All that remained from the fire was a pile of rock rubble from the fire place and the cook stove that is presently in the kitchen. I can remember coming to the site with my father the morning after the fire to view the damage. The stove was lathered with used engine oil and covered with a tarp. This stove was subsequently refurbished and is still in use to this day.
On January 6th of 1976 the officers and directors met at the Chilliwack Golf & Country Club with the insurance adjusters and a building contractor. The purpose of the meeting was to hear the adjusters report and to discuss the future of the Hole in the Wall. After some discussion the board voted for the following:
To rebuild the hall.
To have the regular dinner meetings at the Chilliwack Golf & Country Club until the new facility was completed and ready for occupancy.
The individuals that would comprise the building committee. Ken Shore was named chairman and Ted Gallvitz was to be the builder’s liaison
On January 8th the building committee met for the first time. They discussed the size and the building details. Plans were then drawn up along with estimated costs that were to be presented to the board for discussion and approval to proceed.
On March 6th shareholder approval was granted with a $ 60,000 maximum spending limit. Construction then started on this new 3,600 square foot hall. Ted Gallvitz co-ordinated, supervised and worked with the volunteer club members. Only one paid labourer was used in the entire project.
By June construction had proceeded to the point where a BBQ could be held on site. This event was very well attended by members and guests.
We couldn’t determine when our new building officially opened but it was sometime between July and September. The actual cost of construction – building $ 48,000 Contents $ 12,000 for a total of $60,000 – right on budget.
This project was quite an undertaking that was achieved by a group of much focussed, dedicated member volunteers. Ted Gallvitz was recognized by president Jack Peers on behalf of the members of the Hole in the Wall. He was presented with the framed Estwing hammer. This framed Estwing hammer c/w a plaque that hangs on the wall just behind our shuffle board table.