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October 7, 2008
Ocracoke’s Community Center sees another year of renovations
By SUNDAE HORN  The volunteer board of the Ocracoke Community Center recently spent a day cleaning, painting, and doing odd jobs around the building, complementing the renovations that have been done over the last few months. The most striking change is the entryway, which has been refurbished with tongue and groove paneling, a big window, and new flooring. The old double doors were replaced with a single door with a window, which lets the sun shine in on the freshly painted interior. Chairman Tom Pahl and board members Lyn Buchanan, Nancy Leach, Gary Mitchell and Pat Austin have been busy implementing their proposed improvements to the Community Center. They are now working on the second year of a three-year plan. The first year included new wiring, a new ceiling, and new lighting, but the most significant change, says Pahl, was in how the building is used. “We wanted to make it more user friendly, and more available for public use,” he said. “We quit charging local groups when they meet here. It’s now free for all the island’s non-profits.” The board also petitioned for the county to insure the building so that alcohol could be served at public and private functions. In years past, renters would have to buy a one-time insurance policy if they wanted to serve alcohol, which was cost-prohibitive, especially for non-profit groups.  “We estimate that the spin-off revenue of a big event like a wedding is about $20,000 in lodging, food, shopping, etc.,” Pahl said. “The private sector benefits from the spin-off revenue and the public benefits because we’re able to let the local groups use the building, even if they serve alcohol, for free.” Ocracoke residents also get a discounted rental rate for private parties and events. “We tried to make it benefit locals in every possible way,” Pahl said. “We try to hit the right balance between bringing in revenue and being available to people.” The Community Center is located on Highway 12 in the former 3/4 Time Dance Hall. It’s owned by Hyde County and supported by Ocracoke Occupancy Tax funds and the revenue it generates in rental fees. The Occupancy Tax Board meets annually to hear requests from community organizations, after which they decide how to divvy up the money. The Community Center Board presented its plan this year with a list of specific projects and their estimated costs and is grateful to the Occupancy Tax Board for their continued support. Last year, a new closet with sliding doors was installed at the Community Center for a place to store the new tables. Another pre-existing closet got new doors and storage for chairs. One of the projects during the board’s recent workday was to assemble a new chair caddy, and with it in place, all table and chair storage will be complete. The board is ordering new tops for the small café tables in the Community Center, and is replacing the cap rail along the sides of the dance floor. Riggs Ellis painted most of the interior, and Tim Fields will be refinishing the wood floors. The stage area got a nice facelift with heavy, dark curtains hung at the back to cover the discolored wood and burlap walls. The board has plans to add a stove to the kitchen, making it fully functional. Long-term plans include improving the stage stairs and possible adding windows in the main part of the building. A Community Center coordinator manages the building’s bookings. To rent the facility, call 252-928-3162 to leave a message and the coordinator will get back to you. |
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