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EAST LIVERPOOL -- Two months ago COVID-19 forced the closing of the East Liverpool Area Community & Learning Center. Parties and programs had to be canceled at the Center and the doors were locked. Ohio and federal governments are gradually allowing the reopening of places under strict guidelines. The Community Center is now making preparations for its own reopening.
Last fall the board of directors contracted with the D. R. E. Walls company to replace the main entrance into the center. This project involves replacing the steps and the handicapped ramp to make entering the center safer and more convenient. The present entryway was part of the original construction of the Trinity Church in 1960. Work was originally scheduled to begin in July requiring closing of the Center for several weeks.
Board Director and Building and Grounds Manager Roger Sanford has arranged with David Edgell of D.R.E. Walls to move up its schedule for work at the center. Construction work began May 14 while the center was already closed down due to the Coronavirus. Now the entrance is totally blocked off. Work should be completed by the end of the month.
D.R.E. Walls is owned and operated by local contractor David Edgell. The company will remove and replace the concrete steps and the handicapped ramp at the main entrance to the center. The new entrance will have a wider ramp for handicapped accessibility and only one stairway with steps that comply with the state code. The sidewalk will have a drain several feet across to carry off rainwater and melting snow.
Additional work on the project will be provided by other contractors. This includes replacing the electric lines that supply the lighting to the parking lot and reinstallation of the stainless steel hand railings.
The tall flagpole placed at the entrance constantly flies an American flag flown at the Capital Building in Washington, DC that had been donated by Congressman Bill Johnson. The pole must be placed on a new concrete block that will be located at the center of the entrance. The flagpole was erected in 2016 after the center first opened. It was an Eagle Scout project by Mason Hutchman who was a member of the scout troop that had been meeting at the former Trinity Church since it was first built on Maine Boulevard.
Total cost of the project is expected to approximate $24,000. Funds were allocated by the board of directors from money raised over the past four years from the Legacy and Legends Lecture Series that has generated $26,000 from the sale of Series memberships. Six lectures have been scheduled each year honoring individuals and events from the area. The last three lectures scheduled for April, May and June this year had to be canceled due to the COVID-19.
The center plans to reopen as soon as possible after the work is completed on the entryway. The staff has stocked up on face masks, rubber gloves, wipes and spray disinfectant. The center has been continuously cleaned and maintained over the past two months while the center has been closed to the public. All measures will be taken to make certain that activities at the center will be in accordance with current governmental guidelines.
Once open, the center will again be available for parties, receptions, service clubs, scout meetings, art classes, classic movie night, recovery classes, tutoring, and bridge club that have been put on hold due to the Caronavirus. The center is accepting reservations for parties and public events which have been an important part of the center in producing necessary income to support operating expenses.
The front entry project is the second major project undertaken at the center since it opened in spring 2016 the foundation had invested $250,000 to totally renovate the Trinity Church building to make it suitable for a Community Center. Last fall the foundation spent over $60,000 to replace the flat roof on the front building with a new insulated roof that includes an 18-year guarantee. All funds for capital improvement projects and the initial renovations came from gifts given by area businesses and individuals in the greater community.