Buffalo Coulee Community Hall Needs Your Help

Buffalo Coulee Community Hall. Photo submitted

The Buffalo Coulee Community Hall, located at Township Road 482 and Range Road 73 in the County of Vermilion River, has long served as a central hub for local gatherings. Originally built in 1934 as a schoolhouse, the building was converted into a community hall in 1974 and has since become a cherished venue for weddings, baby showers, reunions, birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, and more.

However, the historic hall is now in urgent need of roof repairs, and community support is being sought to preserve this beloved facility.

Managed by the Buffalo Coulee Community Club, a non-profit organization committed to maintaining the hall and organizing events, the facility has seen several recent upgrades. These include the installation of three new furnaces to replace an outdated system—an initiative aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing utility costs. They have also repainted the entire inside, placed corrugated steel roof inside the gym, newly renovated washrooms, replaced all the lighting with LED fixtures, have new commercial appliances and recently painted the outside of the building.

In 2024, the County of Vermilion River provided $2,500 in operational funding to assist with the hall’s maintenance and programming. In addition, the hall has been recognized through various community support initiatives, highlighting its enduring importance to the region.

Despite these efforts, one of the most pressing challenges remains: the roof.

“The hall faces significant maintenance challenges, particularly the urgent need for a new roof to ensure its continued use. We have a flat roof over our gym, and the water doesn’t drain off,” explained Secretary Treasurer Denise Rogan. “We need to add trusses to create a slanted roof. The cost has been quoted between $75,000 and $250,000. Winning the $25,000 prize would directly support this essential roofing project.”

To help address these needs, the Buffalo Coulee Community Hall has been selected as a finalist in BASF Canada’s “Growing Home” contest. This initiative offers community organizations the opportunity to win up to $25,000 in funding. The 2025 edition of the program has expanded its prize pool to $160,000, awarding $25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third in each participating province.

Public voting is currently underway and runs from April 1 to April 15, 2025. Canadian residents who are of legal voting age can cast their vote for the finalist of their choice. As of now, Buffalo Coulee Community Hall is in second place.

To show your support and help secure much-needed funding for the roof repairs, visit www.agsolutions.ca/growinghome. Voting only takes a few seconds.

Winners will be determined based on the total number of votes received and will be announced on April 29, 2025.