Here are a few of the currently active and urgent projects.

Keys and locks

In order to facilitate hall rentals (which are how we pay for all the rest of these projects!) and improve security, we are switching over to using a combination lock. Our locksmith has estimated this job at $1500 max for parts and installation (2/3) for the exterior door, which requires a commercial-grade system to accommodate the double door with exit bar. The system he recommends allows 15 different active combos, each of which we can set for permanent use or one-time use or, say, a two-week period—thus accommodating the differing needs of long-term regular dance rentals, grange members, single-occasional rentals. It would also be tremendously helpful to install an additional combination lock for the kitchen, a less complicated job for which we don't have an estimate yet (1/10).

Main hall ventilation, insulation, lighting, wiring

The ceiling fans we installed in the dance hall in summer '09 were only part of a much larger project. Next up: exhaust ventilation & ductwork in the attic, including replacing the big exhaust fan with a pair of newer quieter ones, installing ductwork, and adding powered vents that will open when the fans are on. We're also adding insulation to the attic and walls, and more lighting down the center of the main hall. Our gradual rewiring of the entire building still awaits work in the main hall, stage, and dining room.

Alarm system

You may have heard it yourself: our alarm has developed a nasty tendency to trigger frequent false alarms. Each time, it calls the fire department (which charges us $126), and a member of the Grange has to show up too. We've been weeding out possible causes, starting with the cheaper fixes and hoping we won't get as far as the last and biggest-ticket item of replacing the whole system. We have just (1/19) replaced wires from the sensors that have triggered the most false alarms, and have learned that central culprit is now almost certainly the radio frequency interference from a nearby radio station—which means even installing a brand new system would not guarantee a solution. We now know how to collect more precise data from each triggered alarm, so that is our current step.

Replacing the dance floor

Our well-loved dance floor can't withstand many more years of use. We've been scrupulous about caring for its surface and watchful about keeping up with small repairs, but we really need to tackle a full replacement. A new floor is an expensive proposition, so the main part of this project will be a dedicated fundraising effort. Please contact the Grange if you would like to help lead this project, ensuring that our dance floor remains a delight to future dancers as well.