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Upgrades For The Ma-Me-O Community Hall

Pipestone Flyer

Diana McQueen,Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development presenting a $50,000 cheque to Pete Langelle, Chairman of the Ma-Me-O Beach Recreation Society for the upgrades to the Ma-Me-O Beach Community Hall

Submitted by Pete Langille

    The Ma-Me-O Community Hall is a central important part of the community and has a long and colorful history particularly during the sixties when weekend dances would attract as many as 1,000 people to the Summer Village. Needless to say, but security during those dances was paramount with bouncers in the hall and police outside. Today, the hall serves to host a flea market every Sunday, May long weekend to the September long weekend, Remembrance Day services, Meetings, Wedding receptions, Firemen’s Breakfast and yes, Dances during the summer.

    In 1945 some of the Ma-Me-O beach property owners formed an association called the “Ma-Me-O Community Association” and held a meeting each year to elect an executive committee and discuss community affairs. From all accounts the association did a first class job. In 1947 The Association bought a few lots and contracted with Mr.George Wilkie to build the hall in accordance with the regulations governing Community Hall construction. The cost was $4,000. In return Mr. Wilkie was to pay the Association 5% of the rental fees. It was barebones, no insulation or facilities. Out houses served as restrooms and generators provided electricity. For many years the hall was also the movie theatre.

    Ma-Me-O Beach was chartered as a Summer Village in December 1948 and the Association Bought the hall from Mr. Wilkie in 1952 and as one of its last acts turned the Hall and Land over to the new Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach. Power also came to the Village in the early 50’s.

During the time 1952-1970’s the high summer activity funded the addition of restrooms, a kitchen, insulation and a Seniors Centre as well as a Summer Village Office. The Hall is now beginning to show signs of deterioration and needs to be upgraded.

    This $50,000 Grant, from lottery funds, along with money from the Village and the seniors totalling $100,000 will go a long way to provide the upgrades needed and required to see the Community Hall serve the community long into the future