Series finale on the Winfield Community Building

[Note: This is the fifth and final chapter in a series on the history of the Winfield Community Building]

During the 70s and into the mid 80s, the board managed to keep the community building in usable condition, but the times were changing, the community building continued to deteriorate and it was beginning to be used less. The outlook for saving the community building did not look promising.

As late as 1981 dances were still held there. On Western weekend in July “Steelan” provided music for the dance and its members included Chris Trees and Kyle Jennings from Winfield. In August “Herbie’s German Band” played while the crowd enjoyed homemade ice cream. Bert and Dorothy Erickson celebrated the 50th anniversary hosted by their children, Bob and Helen, at the community building.

In September 1981 efforts were still underway to raise money to keep the community building open. Rummage sales were still the major income used to keep up with repairs. The board had voted to insulate the ceiling and re-tar the roof. The Lions Club volunteered to do the labor. The board also planned to purchase solid plastic light covers to help conserve heat. The cost of using the building was set as follows: Upstairs and downstairs $10.00 nonprofit or social, kitchen $5.00 nonprofit or social, $25.00 Upstairs or downstairs commercial or profit-making group, Both floors $50.00. It was stated that with the increasing costs of utilities the rates must be enforced to make it possible to keep the community building in operation.

Nothing was found to indicate that OSHA had any influence on the declining use of the building, but it was noted that in 1984 that the VFW would not meet at the community building because of the steps there. Perhaps one of the last events held there was in February 1985 when the Scouts held their banquet there. Since the building was hardly being used one director said, “It is up to the public to decide. Regardless the upstairs would be closed for the winter.”

In October 1985, the community building board was called to discuss the deteriorating building. The upstairs had been closed until further notice and use of the building continued to decline. The board decided to invite the public to stop in to view the building after the Halloween hot dog roast to see if there was any interest in keeping it open. Very few people showed up to view the building or offer any opinions as to its fate.

After deciding it would take at least $4,000 to repair the community building with little hopeof raising that much money the board offered to give the building to the city. At one point the city agreed t o except the building, but after touring the building; the council voted not to accept[ it due to the amount of money an work it would take to repair it. It was pointed out the donations had been steadily dropping off. There were two other facilities downtown for private use, the VFW building, and the People’s State Bank’s courtesy room. It was also pointed out that the building was nonhandicapped accessible.

The vote not to accept the building was two to nothing with Councilmen Dave Tandy and Don Shaw voting not the accept the building. Abstaining from voting were Councilmen Gary Crill, Larry Jennings and Jim Almelien. Latty Jennings was also serving on the Community Building Board of Directors. Mayor Les Sitzes broke the tie by voting with Tandy and Shaw. He said he would like to see it kept open but felt it was not in the best interest of the city to accept the building. Dave Gerling, who was there representing the community building and Larry Jennings agreed that in all probability the building would be put up for sale adding there may be a couple of prospects for the purchases.

In the July 24, 1986, issue of the Beacon, a for sale as read: “For Sale: Winfield Community Building at public Auction Aug. 5 at 7:30 on the front steps of the building.” It was the end of an era and a sad ending for a building that had been an important part of the community for so long.

Memories remain, but the Community Building as Winfield residents remembered was gone forever. Except for the school, it is doubtful that any other building, past or present has or will have a greater variety of events and the memories they made than the old Community Building. Please share your memories on Facebook or email smjennings6@gmail.com.

Next week, watch for memories shared by the people who remember the Community Building in its glory days.