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News
The Bates Hall Preservation Society (BHPS) continues their funding goal of moving and restoring the Bates Township Hall located on the corner of U.S. 2 and Bates Amasa Road.
At the end of 2023, the Society topped $200K for the project. Currently, they are at $206K.
With the effect of Covid and lack of materials and price increases, the Society started very competitive grant seeking and continues to do so to meet the amount needed. While the Society has received small grants, they presently do not have enough to begin the project, which is slated to hopefully break ground April 2025, with Legacy Park to be completed in 2026.
The Society has been working hard to get the Hall off its crumbling foundation and placed onto a new foundation as fast as possible. The Hall is centrally located and so worth saving!
The Society has many fundraisers and continues to do so.
The Society’s biggest fundraiser is their annual rummage sale, to be held Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 at the Bates Township Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. If anyone has item(s) to donate, please contact Margee Brennan at 906-284-0988.
Their Annual Bake Sale at Bigari Ace Hardware will take place Saturday, May 25 from 8 a.m. to noon. The Society are host/hostess at the Memorial Day Social held after the Bates Cemetery Program, where BHPS logo items will be available for purchase. The Society will also be at Rodeo Market Days, July 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Genesee Street, which will include a Day Raffle, which is always a success.
Orders for engraved bricks for installing in Legacy Park are being taken for $50. Forms and further information can be obtained by contacting Treasurer Sue Passamani at 906-265-4771 or email dspass116@gmail.com.
Returnable bottles and cans are being collected next to the Bates Maintenance Garage. BHPS logo items can be purchased at Seven Embers located across the street from the Hall.
BHPS logo items are now available at close-out prices, which include: tote bag, cap, license plate and T-shirts in sizes medium, large, x-large and xx-large for $10 each; magnet $7 and sticker $5.
Of course, financial and day raffle donations, as well as volunteers to assist in various fundraisers, are always welcome.
The response from locals, as well as visitors who love local history and know the importance of retaining our history has been overwhelming and the Society cannot begin to thank them enough.
It truly shows that together we can and will restore/renovate the 1907 Bates Township Hall.