CADIZ — A few minutes outside of Cadiz is the unincorporated community of Georgetown in Short Creek Township.
Though small, they are a tight-knit community that enjoys getting together with everyone from neighbors to those from surrounding villages. The hall where they gather got an upgrade this year and Trustee Andy Filippi and Facility Coordinator Barb Howes are trying to get the word out.
The Gerogetown Community Hall was once a one-room schoolhouse, back in the early 1900s. Howes shared the memory of her father being in the Christmas program before the school was turned over to the township in 1970. The township converted the building to a community center and it has remained functioning in that capacity ever since.
“We were told about the grant by State Rep Don Jones,” Fillipi said. “We did it in January… and then we went ’til July maybe and they initially told us we got the grant. Then it was ‘hurry up and wait.’”
After getting estimates, they asked for $98,000. The grant came through with $90,000 and Fiscal Officer Jessica Brown is credited with finding the last $8,000 needed through some strong budgeting.
They had to shut down the building for a few months to get the work done, which included new windows, doors, and putting in AC units. “We couldn’t rent the hall out from May to September because it was too hot in here,” Filippi said.
The money also allowed the bathroom to be moved down from the stage area to make it both handicap accessible and fully automated. The work was completed by two companies: Schenerlein and Sligar, Inc., and Remodeling Solutions.
The hall can be rented for events up to four hours long for only $35. There is a full kitchen available, tables and chairs are provided, and plenty of parking outside. There is also a handicap-accessible entrance around the side. Trash removal for events is the renter’s responsibility since the facility doesn’t have a dumpster, but basic cleaning is done by volunteers after the event.
The hall has recently been opening for “free-play” times where you can rent the space for yourself or a group for two hours for only $10.
For more rental information, call Howes at 740-546-4656.
“All money collected from these events is given back to the community for events held at the hall,” Howes said. The biggest event is the Halloween party that’s open to the public and welcomes all ages.
Howes and Filippi shared that they are incredibly grateful for the community support and specifically Representative Don Jones for his help with the grant.
Howes called out both Filippia and Brown for the extra work they’ve put in to work on the hall, “Jessica and Andy have had a huge impact of the renovation and put in countless hours to make this happen, and we should all be proud of them bringing this grant to our community.”
Fillipi made sure to mention the two other Township Trustees as well: Dave Richardson and George Smith, who were instrumental in getting the grant and coordinating the work on the hall.
The next renovation they are looking at is replacing the floor and painting the walls. But even without these upgrades, the hall stands ready for any event from baby showers to wedding receptions to family reunions. Check out the Georgetown Community Hall – Shortcreek Township Facebook page for upcoming event information.
