The Board of Directors of the Andover Community Hub is pleased to announce that with the replacement of a badly leaking roof atop Andover’s old town hall last summer and the construction of a universal access ramp to its interior completed in early October, the Hub has completed two-thirds of the work being funded by its ongoing “Come On In” capital campaign.
The third step — developing, funding, and implementing a plan for a community kitchen — is now under way.
Major funding for the roof was provided by generous grants from the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) of $16,395 and from the Samuel P. Hunt Foundation of $20,000. The new asphalt shingle roof was completed in June by WeatherCheck Roofers of Georges Mills for a total cost of $57,000. The balance of the funding came from many contributions – large and small — from generous community members and local businesses.
Construction of the access ramp began in earnest in August, with ramp components supplied by Upside Innovations and assembled by a group of dedicated Hub volunteers, along with some crucial in-kind support from Proctor Academy, at a total cost of $27,500.
The ramp and materials were funded by grants from the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation ($5,000), Bar Harbor Bank and Trust ($2,000), Coldwell Banker ($1,000), a contribution of building materials worth $1,000 from Belletetes Building Supply, and by contributions from additional community members.
As Board chair Larry Chase said, “We’re immensely grateful to all who contributed to these two efforts, both of which are vital to preserving the building and returning it to its historic function as a gathering place for all town residents. And we look forward to completing the next step in rehabilitating this old building to provide additional opportunities to the Andover community.”
Due to across-the-board price increases and unanticipated expenses since the Hub launched its capital campaign, the costs of both projects substantially exceeded initial estimates. The good news is that the Hub has met its initial campaign goal of $100,000; the less-good news is that there’s still a long way to go to fund construction of the kitchen that will cap this campaign.
Those interested in helping meet this challenge can make a donation online through the Hub’s website or by sending a check to the Andover Community Hub, PO Box 157, Andover NH 03216.